Civico Museo del Mare

About the museum

The Civico Museo del Mare of Trieste was founded in 1904 and has had several locations in the past, including Via di Campo Marzio 5. Since the beginning of 2020 it had been closed to the public while its collections were moved to Warehouse 26 in the Porto Vecchio (Old Port); the new site opened on 4 October 2023.

Warehouse 26 is the largest building in the port complex, built in the second half of the 19th century to strengthen Trieste's role as the main outlet to the sea and commercial hub of the Habsburg Empire. The museum occupies the third floor, while the Lloyd section is on the raised ground floor.

The collection includes a rich series of models documenting the history and evolution of navigation, scientific instruments used on board, and a room dedicated to Josef Ressel, inventor of the screw propeller. The sections cover exploration, fishing, shipbuilding, shipping companies, engines, sport and Guglielmo Marconi.

Highlights

• Ship models showing the evolution of navigation
• Navigation instruments and bathymetric charts
• Room dedicated to Josef Ressel, inventor of the screw propeller
• Lloyd section and shipping companies
• Displays in Warehouse 26 of the Porto Vecchio

Permanent exhibitions

• Percorso permanente sulla storia della navigazione – Sections on exploration, instruments, navigation, fishing, shipbuilding, shipping companies, engines, sport, Marconi and Josef Ressel.
• Sezione Lloyd – History of the Lloyd and of Trieste's shipping companies, on the raised ground floor of Warehouse 26.

Founded

1904

Operated by

Comune di Trieste

Visitors per year

approx. 9,505

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The Lloyd section (raised ground floor) can be reached by ramp or lift, and the museum (third floor) by lift. A wheelchair is available on request at reception; accessible toilets are available in both sites. Some objects reproduced in 3D can be touched; easy-to-read captions for some objects on the third floor; subtitled video interviews.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

For schools there are workshops and game-based visits (a ship model made from recycled materials, orienteering); the activities can be adapted for families.

Getting there & parking

About 20 minutes on foot from the central station; about 5 minutes by car, following the signs for the Porto Vecchio.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop and the specialist Mario Marzari library.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit