by InTrieste
A new museum dedicated to literature in city of Trieste has been drawing significant public and media attention since its opening in September. The Literature Trieste (LETS) museum, inaugurated with a lecture by writer Claudio Magris, has welcomed over 30,000 visitors in its first months.
Located in Piazza Hortis, the museum showcases Trieste’s literary heritage, focusing on prominent figures such as Italo Svevo, James Joyce, and Umberto Saba. Alongside permanent exhibitions, LETS hosts book presentations, author discussions, and literary-themed exhibitions, with contributions from Italian and international writers. Recent events have featured authors including Enrico Terrinoni, Adrian Bravi, and Veit Heinichen.
The museum has garnered extensive media coverage in Italy, with reports from national newspapers such as Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica, and Il Sole 24 Ore. Local outlets, including Il Piccolo and Tele Capodistria, have also closely followed its development, while RAI Friuli Venezia Giulia has covered the museum on both radio and television.
LETS has received recognition beyond Italy as well. In a February feature, The Guardian listed it among its “10 Reasons to Visit Italy in 2025,” highlighting the museum’s role in promoting Trieste’s literary legacy. The article suggested pairing a visit to LETS with the city’s literary walking tours and events related to Gorizia and Nova Gorica’s designation as the 2025 European Capital of Culture.
The museum’s profile was further elevated by its inclusion in the Treccani 2024 Yearbook, which documents notable cultural, political, and artistic events of the past year. The entry highlights the museum’s role in celebrating Trieste’s literary history through dedicated spaces for its most influential modernist authors.
The museum continues to attract a growing audience, including many school groups, and has established itself as a focal point in Trieste’s cultural landscape. As it gains wider recognition, LETS is positioned to contribute to the city’s broader efforts to highlight its literary and artistic heritage on an international scale.
