Part of Archduke Maximilian’s Egyptian Collection Returns to Trieste: Exhibition at Miramare Stables

A Sphinx Draws Him Back: Maximilian’s Egyptian Collection Returns to Trieste

When: 2 April – 1 November 2026

Where: Stables (Scuderie) of Miramare Castle, Trieste

Through an international collaboration between the Museo storico e Parco del Castello di Miramare and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, a major portion of Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian’s Egyptian collection returns to Trieste. The exhibition presents more than one hundred selected objects that tell the story of the collection’s formation, the archduke’s collecting interests, and the 19th-century concept of the antiquities museum.

Curators and Partner Institutions

The exhibition is organized by an international curatorial team and supported by leading cultural institutions:

• Curators: Massimo Osanna, Christian Greco, Cäcilia Bischoff, Michaela Hüttner
• Co-organization: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
• Scientific contribution: Museo Egizio, Turin
• Local partners: Civico Museo d’Antichità J. J. Winckelmann (Trieste), Municipality of Trieste, PromoTurismoFVG
• Production and services: MondoMostre, CoopCulture

What to Expect

The route through the exhibition traces the collection’s origins—from early 19th-century purchases to later acquisition campaigns and the eventual transfer of many items to Vienna. On display are religious objects, stelae, small sculptures and everyday artifacts that reveal both Maximilian’s personal interests and the broader enthusiasm for Egyptology in 19th-century Trieste.

Educational Program

The Museo storico e Parco del Castello di Miramare, in partnership with CoopCulture, offers a comprehensive educational program for schools. Activities include hands-on workshops, storytelling, guided visits and interactive routes designed to introduce students to ancient Egyptian culture and symbolism.

Practical Information

• Dates: 2 April – 1 November 2026
• Venue: Stables of Miramare Castle, Trieste
• Tickets: available online and through CoopCulture sales channels (advance booking recommended for groups and school visits)
• Further details: consult the museum’s official channels for schedules, accessibility and booking information

This exhibition is a rare opportunity to see important Egyptian objects from major European collections and to reflect on how 19th-century collecting practices shaped today’s museums.