by InTrieste
A statue dedicated to St. Justus, the patron saint of Trieste, has been reinstalled underwater near the small harbor of Grignano, continuing a tradition that dates back more than four decades.
The sculpture was placed at a depth of nine meters near the harbor’s rocky shoreline during a ceremony on Monday, Nov. 3, attended by regional officials and members of the local diving community.
Pierpaolo Roberti, the regional councilor for local autonomy, attended on behalf of regional Gov. Massimiliano Fedriga. He described the initiative as a celebration of the city’s longstanding connection to the sea, as well as an event with historical and religious significance.
Roberti thanked the Trieste Diving Club, which organized the initiative, and the Grignano Nautical Society, which hosted the ceremony. He said the gathering reflected the importance of bringing together people who share a passion for the sea and diving.
The underwater monument was first installed in 1984, when a bronze statue by artist Tristano Alberti was placed in the waters off Grignano to commemorate the relationship between St. Justus and the maritime city.
Over time, however, galvanic corrosion caused by the marine environment and underwater currents damaged the original sculpture. It was recovered in 2018 and replaced with a faithful replica made of white resin, a material considered more resistant to underwater conditions and easier to maintain.
The latest installation was made possible through the efforts of the Trieste Diving Club, with support from Rotary. Positioned at a depth of nine meters, the statue is accessible to divers and can also be seen by snorkelers and freedivers.
St. Justus, who was martyred in 303 A.D., is celebrated each year on Nov. 3, when Trieste marks its patron saint’s feast day with religious ceremonies and public events across the city.
