Civico Museo del Mare

Gazing up at the Civico Museo del Mare, did you ever wonder what secrets lie within its walls? The Civico Museo del Mare is a treasure trove of maritime history. It’s one of the most important maritime museums in Italy and the Mediterranean. The museum boasts a rich collection of models. These models trace the evolution of ships. From dugout canoes and Roman triremes to Venetian galleys and Columbus’s caravels, the museum has it all. You can also see galleons, sailing ships, brigantines, and frigates. The Civico Museo del Mare even showcases vessels from Trieste’s own navy from the 1800s, Lloyd Triestino steamers, hospital ships, and sailing yachts. The museum’s collection doesn’t stop at ship models. It delves into the maritime history of Trieste and the Adriatic. It explores the development of marine technology, navigation techniques, fishing practices, and various sea-related economic activities. The Civico Museo del Mare also highlights scientific instruments used in navigation and for understanding the physics of the sea. A unique feature of the museum is its collection of mid-nineteenth-century models. These models, designed by Heinrich von Littrow, depict the seabed’s depths in colored layers. One room at the Civico Museo del Mare is dedicated to Joseph Ressel. Ressel invented the first screw propeller while working in Trieste during the time when the Adriatic was largely part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Civico Museo del Mare, housed within Warehouse 26 at the Old Port, also features a section dedicated to Lloyd. This section showcases over 1000 exhibits. These exhibits include models, publications, paintings, porcelains, silver, graphics, photographs, nautical instruments, watches, weapons, maps, and documents. They tell the story of one of the leading shipping companies of the past.