by InTrieste
The Umberto Saba Antiquarian Bookshop, a beloved landmark in Trieste and a fixture in Italy’s literary heritage, has reopened following an extensive restoration. Today, the Jewish Community of Trieste and the Cerne family, caretakers of this historic space, celebrated the return of the bookshop to the city with a quiet ceremony that underscored the site’s powerful resonance as a place where culture, memory, and history converge.
Located in the heart of Trieste, the Umberto Saba Antiquarian Bookshop holds special significance for many, known as both the haunt of Umberto Saba, one of Italy’s most significant 20th-century poets, and as a cultural hub that attracted prominent writers like Italo Svevo, Virgilio Giotti, and Gianni Stuparich. Saba, who purchased the shop in 1919, referred to it as his “dark lair” and spent over three decades surrounded by the volumes that shaped his poetry and his intellectual life.
A Place of Historic and Cultural Significance
Alessandro Salonichio, President of the Jewish Community of Trieste, and the Cerne family, who have preserved and managed the bookshop since Saba’s time, welcomed an array of guests to mark this occasion, including Mauro Bordin, President of the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Alessia Rosolen, Regional Councillor. Representatives from the Ministry of Culture, regional heritage agencies, and restoration firms were also present, along with the 52 volunteers who devoted their time to preserving the soul of this treasured space.
The project, led by architect Aulo Guagnini and launched in early 2024, carefully balanced modern restoration techniques with a commitment to the shop’s authenticity. Every detail, from the original parquet floors and perimeter bookshelves to Saba’s personal desk, was restored or preserved, with special attention to the 28,000 books in the collection, including the precious Saba Collection, a compilation of 800 volumes classified as an “artist’s studio” by the Ministry of Culture.
An Effort of Collective Devotion and Support
This remarkable effort was made possible through a mix of public and private support, along with contributions from individuals. Attorney Paolo Volli, who oversees real estate for the Jewish Community of Trieste, initiated a fundraising campaign that garnered support from local organizations, including the Fondazione Benefica Ketheleen Foreman Casali, Beneficentia Stiftung, and Samer & Co Shipping, as well as a handful of corporate sponsors and individual donors.
To mark the reopening, Trieste’s Rossetti – Teatro Stabile del Friuli Venezia Giulia organized a reading marathon of Saba’s Canzoniere, where local residents joined actors Maria Grazia Plos, Giulio Cancelli, and Andrea Germani to lend their voices to the poet’s work, breathing life into the bookshop once again.
A Legacy Passed Down Through Generations
The reopening is particularly poignant, coming just months after the passing of Mario Cerne in January 2024. Mario, whose father Carlo managed the bookshop after Saba’s death in 1957, dedicated his life to preserving the poet’s legacy, enriching the shop’s unique ambiance by sharing stories and anecdotes with generations of visitors.
With the restoration now complete, the Umberto Saba Antiquarian Bookshop stands ready to fulfill a dual role: resuming its historic function as an antiquarian bookshop and serving as a museum, offering a path through the poet’s life and the literary history of Trieste.
A New Chapter Begins
The restored bookshop is a testament to the enduring power of culture and community in Trieste. Its reopening marks the continuation of a journey that began over a century ago when Saba first took up residence among the dusty volumes. Today, it remains both a cherished literary sanctuary and an invitation to discover – or rediscover – the lasting legacy of Umberto Saba and the city that inspired him.
