by InTrieste
On Saturday, January 11, the historic San Giusto Castle will host the XALPS Village, marking the first stop in a seven-month alpine relay commemorating two significant anniversaries: the 150th year of the Parma Section of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and the 70th anniversary of Walter Bonatti and Luigi Longo’s groundbreaking full alpine ski crossing.
Launched from Parma on January 7, the XALPS project retraces the legendary route, aiming to complete the entire Alpine arc using sustainable, human-powered methods—bicycles, skis, and foot travel. More than 100 participants from Parma are taking part in the relay, which spans 30 stages and culminates in July.
The event in Trieste features the XALPS Village at the castle’s Lalio Bastion, where visitors can explore the project through an interactive display, a photographic exhibition of iconic alpine peaks, and a 3 PM presentation of the initiative.
The XALPS project combines athleticism, sustainability, and cultural dialogue, bridging the Alps and the Apennines while promoting the preservation of mountain traditions. It is a tribute not only to mountaineering history but also to the enduring connection between humans and high-altitude landscapes.
The “Towards the Summits” exhibition, hosted concurrently at San Giusto Castle, adds historical depth, showcasing the evolution of Trieste’s mountaineering heritage. The exhibition, open through June 8, includes highlights like the Italian conquest of K2 in 1954.
Tickets to the castle, including both the XALPS Village and the exhibition, are €7.
