Risiera di San Sabba

About the museum

The complex was built between 1898 and 1913 as a rice-processing plant in the outlying district of San Sabba, and remained in operation until the early 1930s. After 1940 it became a barracks and, with the German occupation, it was transformed into a Polizeihaftlager, a police detention camp. On 29 April 1945 the retreating Nazis destroyed the buildings housing the crematorium oven, in an attempt to erase the evidence.

After the liberation, and until the early 1960s, the former plant served as a reception camp for refugees. In 1965 President Giuseppe Saragat declared it a National Monument. The present appearance is the result of work by the Trieste architect Romano Boico, carried out between 1972 and 1975, with high concrete walls in a Brutalist style and a route designed for a strong emotional impact; the memorial was inaugurated on 24 April 1975.

Today the Civico Museo della Risiera di San Sabba is one of the main places of memory in Italy. The route includes the Cella della morte (death cell), the Sala delle celle with 17 detention cells, the Sala delle Croci (hall of the crosses), the courtyard with the steel plate marking the site of the crematorium oven, the museum room renovated in 2016, and the Sala delle Commemorazioni (commemoration hall).

Key themes

• Memorial designed by Romano Boico
• Cella della morte and Sala delle celle
• Sala delle Croci
• Courtyard with the steel plate of the crematorium
• Museum room renovated in 2016

Permanent exhibition

• Memoriale e Sala del Museo – Route through the memorial, with the Cella della morte, the Sala delle celle and the museum room devoted to the history of the camp.

Founded

1975

Operated by

Comune di Trieste – Musei Civici

Admission & discounts

The site does not state an entrance fee.

Accessibility

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

The ordinary entrance is accessible to people with mobility disabilities, and the memorial spaces can be reached by ramps, except the Cella della morte and the Sala delle celle, where the openings have a small step. Accessible toilets are in the entrance corridor; a wheelchair is available free of charge in the reception area. The parking bay for vehicles with a disabled permit is in Via Rio Primario. Guide dogs may enter; for assistance dogs, the presence must be announced in advance and certification presented.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

For the content, the recommended minimum age for the audio guide is 12. Educational activities are available for schools of all levels.

Getting there & parking

Bicycle racks in Piazzale De Simone. Private coaches may not park in front of the entrance; they may only drop off groups.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

There is a bookshop in the reception area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit