by InTrieste
After over a decade of debate and planning, the historic Sant’Antonio square in Trieste is set to undergo a major transformation. The long-awaited redevelopment project, a significant milestone for the city, will commence this month, marking the beginning of a new chapter for one of Trieste’s most prominent public spaces.
The redevelopment will unfold gradually, with construction expected to take approximately nine months, wrapping up in late spring of the coming year. The initial phase focuses on Via Paganini, a prominent thoroughfare adjacent to the Sant’Antonio church. Here, AcegasApsAmga, the local utility company that recently completed underground utility installations, will hand over the site to the municipality. The project will involve removing existing asphalt and replacing it with sandstone slabs, while efforts will be made to preserve and reveal the cobblestones that have been covered for years. This phase also includes improvements to the nearby Via della Zonta.
Following this, similar upgrades are planned for Via Ponchielli. Once the tourist season concludes, AcegasApsAmga will establish a construction site to implement underground utilities, mirroring the work done on Via Paganini. After completing these excavations, the municipality will continue the renovation with the same approach—removing asphalt in favor of sandstone and, where feasible, incorporating cobblestones. This part of the project is anticipated to start in mid-autumn.
The redevelopment of Piazza Sant’Antonio has been a contentious issue, occupying a prominent place in local politics during the final months of Roberto Cosolini’s tenure and the beginning of the third term of current mayor Dipiazza. Under Cosolini and his Public Works Assessor, Dapretto, there was even discussion about reopening the Grand Canal, which had been filled in during the 1930s with debris from Cittavecchia. While this ambitious proposal sparked interest, it has yet to move beyond the conceptual stage, with initial designs and ideas showcased at the Sartorio Museum.
