by InTrieste
The city of Trieste is facing an intensifying parking crisis following the sudden closure of the Molo IV parking lot, a vital downtown facility that had accommodated nearly 500 vehicles. The shutdown, which took effect on August 12 as part of a broader redevelopment of the Old Port, has left both residents and visitors scrambling for parking, especially during the busy summer tourist season.
The dismantling of the lot’s entrance, currently underway, has left many drivers perplexed, with some only learning of the closure upon encountering signs barring entry. The absence of Molo IV’s parking spaces has become keenly felt, with the city’s central San Giusto parking garage seeing long lines of cars attempting to enter. The situation is expected to worsen in September as schools reopen and daily routines resume.
The closure coincides with the redevelopment of the Old Port area, where the Molo IV lot will soon make way for a linear park. However, the timing of the project has sparked criticism, with opposition leaders accusing city officials of failing to plan ahead for the loss of such a significant parking resource.
“Closing a major parking facility without clear alternatives in place is shortsighted,” said one opposition member in the city council. “We are already seeing the impact on residents and visitors, and it’s only going to get worse.”
The parking crunch has been exacerbated by the arrival of cruise ships at the port. With the Rive, a key waterfront road, often closed to accommodate these ships, the city’s available parking spaces have dwindled further, adding to frustrations.
While alternative parking options do exist, they remain underutilized. An underground garage near Trieste’s major hospital is often overlooked by visitors, and the Silos lot near the central train station is largely underappreciated. The city’s administration has begun promoting these lesser-known options as part of a short-term solution. Mayor Roberto Dipiazza has also suggested that changes to the Silos lot could be on the horizon, though he has offered few specifics. Until recently, the lot had been used as a temporary refuge for migrants arriving via the Balkan route.
As the city navigates the immediate fallout from the Molo IV closure, many locals worry that the situation will only grow more difficult. With almost no relief in sight, the city’s handling of the transition has prompted broader concerns about how Trieste will adapt to modernizing its historic spaces while meeting the practical needs of its people.
The Old Port redevelopment, a long-awaited transformation of the city’s waterfront, is set to continue in phases over the coming years. But for now, Trieste’s residents remain locked in a daily struggle, searching for space to park amid a sea of uncertainty.
