by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Massimo Andreoli, president of Wavents; Elisa Andreoli, president of Cers
San Giusto Castle will host the opening weekend of its 2026 historical education program, Le Stagioni delle Armi (“The Seasons of Arms”), on July 25 and 26, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the role of cartography and commerce in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The annual series features historical reenactors dressed in period clothing and equipped with historically accurate replicas, guiding visitors through the castle, its museum armory and outdoor spaces while illustrating aspects of medieval life. Each weekend throughout the program is devoted to a different historical theme.
This weekend’s edition, organized by the White Company reenactment group, examines the evolution of mapmaking and the expansion of medieval trade networks. Alongside demonstrations of weapons and military equipment, visitors will learn how maps evolved from symbolic and religious representations into practical navigation tools that supported long-distance commerce.
The program highlights reproductions of the 1375 Catalan Atlas and Fra Mauro’s 1459 world map, while exploring Mediterranean trade, the Silk Road and emerging Atlantic routes. Exhibits will also explain the development of portolan charts, early nautical maps used by sailors, as well as the growing use of instruments such as the compass and astrolabe during the 15th century.
Organizers say the exhibition illustrates how the expansion of medieval trade encouraged advances in cartography that ultimately laid the groundwork for the great voyages of exploration at the end of the 15th century.
Educational stations will be open throughout the castle’s regular opening hours. Guided tours, limited to 25 participants each, are scheduled at 10:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Participation is included with admission to the castle, which costs €7 for adults and €5 at the reduced rate.
The event is promoted by the Municipality of Trieste’s Department of Culture and Tourism and organized by the San Giusto Castle Museum in collaboration with Wavents, the European Consortium of Historical Reenactments (CERS Italia) and the Compagnia d’Arme Malleus.
