by InTrieste
The city of Trieste is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Guglielmo Marconi, the Nobel Prize-winning inventor widely regarded as the father of wireless communication, with a remarkable exhibition tracing the history of his yacht, Elettra. This floating laboratory played a pivotal role in Marconi’s groundbreaking experiments with radio waves and is now the centerpiece of a major cultural event at Magazzino 26 in Porto Vecchio.
The exhibition, titled “Rovenska – Elettra: Memories of Marconi’s Yacht,” was unveiled at a press conference on December 20 and officially opened to the public later that evening. Organized by the Municipality of Trieste and supported by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the exhibition showcases artifacts, photographs, and documents from the historic vessel, alongside a new photographic series by artist Primož Bizjak.
A Storied Past
Originally commissioned in 1904 by Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria, the yacht was built in Scotland and named Rovenska. After serving as a patrol vessel during World War I, it was purchased by Marconi in 1919, renamed Elettra, and transformed into a floating laboratory. Marconi conducted many of his most famous experiments aboard the yacht, including the first successful transmission of radio signals across the Atlantic and the remote activation of public lighting in Sydney from Genoa in 1930.
During World War II, Elettra was stationed in Trieste, deemed a safe harbor. However, in 1944, it was bombed and sunk by Allied forces near Zadar. Efforts to salvage and restore the yacht continued through the mid-20th century, but financial constraints led to its disassembly. Today, sections of the yacht are preserved in various institutions, with key fragments now reunited in this exhibition.
A Cultural Hub Reimagined
Magazzino 26, located in the revitalized Porto Vecchio district, has emerged as a cultural epicenter. The exhibition, spread across the Sala Leonor Fini and the Museo del Mare, exemplifies Trieste’s growing reputation as a destination for cultural tourism. According to Giorgio Rossi, Trieste’s Councillor for Culture and Tourism, “This exhibition demonstrates how Magazzino 26 has become the cultural hub we envisioned five years ago. In 2024 alone, the space hosted 60,000 visitors, contributing to Trieste’s record-breaking 1.5 million tourists this year.”
Exhibition Highlights
The exhibition features:
- Artifacts such as nautical charts, photographs, and furniture from the yacht’s library and laboratory.
- A photographic series by Primož Bizjak, capturing preserved fragments of the Elettra housed in institutions across Europe.
- Interactive displays detailing Marconi’s scientific achievements and the yacht’s storied history.
The exhibition also reflects the collaboration of numerous cultural and scientific organizations, including the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan and the Guglielmo Marconi Foundation in Sasso Marconi.
Visiting the Exhibition
The exhibition runs through February 16, 2025, with free entry. From December 21 to January 31, it is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours shift slightly in February, from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to book guided tours led by curators and cultural experts.
A Tribute to Marconi’s Legacy
As Trieste cements its place as a hub of innovation and cultural heritage, this exhibition offers a poignant tribute to Marconi, whose contributions transformed global communication. The Elettra, both as a vessel and a symbol, embodies the spirit of discovery and the enduring power of human ingenuity.
