How the Lazzaretto beneath Warehouse 26 will be displayed: the

How the Lazzaretto beneath Warehouse 26 will be displayed

The Executive Project for external arrangements and museal enhancement has been approved for the archaeological remains uncovered under Warehouse 26 in the Porto Vecchio area of Trieste. The structures, belonging to the 1769 Lazzaretto, will be integrated into the future Museum of the Sea and opened to public viewing.

The remains were discovered in 2022 during connection works for the museum and include perimeter walls, gun batteries and traces of piers. The approving resolution (no. 160) was published on 8 April 2026; the executive report was prepared by the company Laira s.r.l.

Project highlights

• Belvedere: a viewing platform set about 1 metre above ground level to overlook the masonry remains;
• Perimeter treatment: the excavation area will be defined by Muggia sandstone blocks;
• Stone steps: terraced seating will allow close observation of wall details and the "alla palladiana" flooring;
• Floor-level lighting: integrated lighting among the remains will highlight masonry details even at night;
• Tide interaction: an experimental solution permitting the sea to enter the excavation at certain hours so visitors can witness waves interacting with the perimeter wall, while at other times the site will remain dry.

Significance

The intervention balances protection and access: beyond conserving the 1769 Lazzaretto remains, it aims to place them within the broader history of the Porto Vecchio and the Habsburg-era emporium. The design merges industrial archaeology with exhibition choices that enhance the relationship between the archaeological fabric and the marine environment.

The expected outcome is an expanded museum route offering both detailed archaeological interpretation and a distinctive sensory experience tied to the sea-manufacture interaction.