by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interviews: Pierpaolo Roberti, Regional Councilor for Public Administration, Security and Immigration of Friuli Venezia Giulia; Caterina De Gavardo, Trieste City Councilor for Public Safety; Maurizio Marzi Wildauer, President of Trieste Trasporti
A new exhibition chronicling the history of Trieste’s local police force opened Wednesday at Sala Veruda in Piazza Piccola, where it will remain on view through June 14.
Titled From Municipal Guards to Local Police: The History of a Force and Its City, the exhibition marks the 164th anniversary of the founding of Trieste’s Local Police. Organized by the Roberto Tommasi Recreational Club, it explores the evolution of the force alongside the city’s own development, highlighting its changing role while emphasizing its longstanding connection with the community.
The opening ceremony was attended by Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, City Councilor for Public Safety Caterina De Gavardo, Local Police Commander Walter Milocchi, Regional Councilor for Public Administration, Security and Immigration Pierpaolo Roberti, and other local officials.
The exhibition presents a chronological journey through the force’s history, featuring original uniforms dating back to the late 19th century, wartime and postwar artifacts, historical documents, badges, communication equipment, motorcycles, and scale models depicting daily police work from earlier eras.
Speaking at the inauguration, officials emphasized both the historical significance of the collection and its civic purpose, describing the exhibition as an opportunity to strengthen public understanding of the Local Police and its role within the community.
The project was made possible through funding from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and is supported by the Municipality of Trieste and the Diego de Henriquez Civic Museum of War for Peace. Historical video materials were provided by LaCineteca FVG, while the Association inBUSclub contributed a vintage bus used during the opening events.
Before the ceremony, participants traveled through the city center aboard a historic bus, passing several of Trieste’s main streets before arriving at Piazza Piccola, where visitors had gathered for the exhibition’s opening.
The exhibition is open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. through Sunday, June 14.
