by InTrieste
This Saturday, December 7th, a captivating journey through Trieste’s complex history will unfold as two events bring the post-war era to life. The city’s transformation under the Allied Military Government (AMG) and its subsequent return to Italy in 1954 are the focal points of the day’s programming, which is part of the ongoing exhibition series Vola Colomba. 70 Years of Trieste’s Return to Italy.
The first event of the day, a walking tour of Allied Military Government-era Trieste, will begin at 9:30 a.m. and is led by historian and guide Francesca Pitacco. The tour, organized by Cizerouno in collaboration with the Tourist Guides Association of Friuli Venezia Giulia, explores key sites that marked the nine years of Trieste’s international significance.
From Piazza Ponterosso to the Hotel de la Ville, and from Piazza Unità to the Maritime Station, the tour highlights the institutional landmarks of the AMG, where the city navigated its delicate political position between Italy and the Allied powers. The tour concludes at the Trieste Police Headquarters, a location that frequently saw protests from locals during this turbulent period. The tour offers an intimate look at the challenges and resilience of Trieste’s people during the years the city was at the crossroads of international diplomacy. Tickets for the tour are available for €10, with reservations via email at info@cizerouno.it.
Later in the morning, at 11:00 a.m., a second event offers a deep dive into the city’s visual history at the Lunario Triestino 1953-1954 exhibition. Curated by Claudia Colecchia, the exhibition is a photographic diary that chronicles the pivotal moments from November 1953 to October 1954, when Trieste returned to Italy. Held at Palazzo Gopcevich (Via G. Rossini 4), the exhibition displays over 300 photographs drawn from the Civic Museums of History and Art’s Phototheque and personal collections, including those from notable Trieste photographers like Ugo Borsatti and Adriano de Rota. The images paint a vivid picture of the city’s atmosphere during the cold war and the tensions surrounding its political future.
The exhibition also includes various period objects, documents, and magazines, offering visitors a comprehensive view of Trieste’s post-war cultural fabric. Among the highlights are glimpses into American life in the city, captured through the lens of both local and international photographers. This visual journey is further enriched by a careful analysis of archival materials, providing a nuanced understanding of the period.
Both events are part of Trieste’s ongoing exploration of its unique post-war identity, a time when the city was a microcosm of Cold War Europe. The Lunario Triestino exhibition will remain open through December 8th, with visiting hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Exhibition texts are also available in English, making this historical celebration accessible to international audiences eager to explore the roots of modern-day Trieste.
For those interested in history, politics, or the complex legacy of post-war Europe, this Saturday offers a rare opportunity to witness firsthand the pivotal moments that shaped Trieste’s return to Italy and its role on the international stage.
