A Treasure in the Heart of Trieste: the Revoltella Museum

The Revoltella Museum stands as a true jewel in the vibrant heart of Trieste, serving as a fascinating bridge between nineteenth-century magnificence and the bold innovation of modern art. It is not merely an art gallery, but rather a genuine “house-museum” whose silent walls narrate the story of a visionary man while depicting the artistic evolution of an entire region.

The Vision of Pasquale Revoltella: A Bridge Between History and the Future

The museum owes its very existence to the extraordinary legacy of Baron Pasquale Revoltella (1795–1869), a prominent entrepreneur and banker from Trieste. Upon his death, with remarkable foresight and generosity, Revoltella donated his sumptuous residence — masterfully designed by the Berlin architect Friedrich Hitzig — to the city of Trieste, along with his entire art collection, furniture, and vast personal library. His was a revolutionary act, guided by the desire to create a public institution devoted to modern art, open and accessible to everyone — one of the first of its kind in Italy.

Inaugurated in 1872, the Revoltella Museum has preserved the charm and atmosphere of the original residence, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Triestine bourgeoisie of the 19th century. The palace’s rooms are adorned with finely crafted stuccoes, evocative frescoes, and period furnishings that tell silent stories — a mirror of the Baron’s refined taste and broad cultural curiosity.

Over time, as the museum’s fame and collections expanded, new spaces were added. In the early 20th century, the Municipality of Trieste acquired the adjacent Palazzo Brunner and later the Palazzina Basevi. The real transformation came in the 1960s, when the task of restructuring and harmoniously connecting the buildings was entrusted to the Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa. His project, completed in 1991 after several interruptions, remains a masterful example of his ability to shape light and space. Scarpa created a fluid, dynamic exhibition path, integrating modern elements with the historical architecture. His iconic staircases, sculptural in form, and strategically placed openings framing stunning views of Trieste’s port turn the visit into a sensory experience where art, architecture, and cityscape merge seamlessly.

The Collections and Exhibition Pathways

Today, the Revoltella Museum extends across several floors and interconnected buildings, offering a chronological and thematic journey through the history of modern and contemporary art.

The first two floors of Palazzo Revoltella recreate the Baron’s historic residence, with lavishly furnished rooms and artworks from his private collection, including sculptures and paintings by prominent Italian and European artists of the 19th century. This section immerses visitors in the cultural and social atmosphere in which the museum was born.

The upper floors, located in Palazzo Brunner, host the Gallery of Modern Art, showcasing acquisitions made throughout the decades, with a focus on Italian art from the late 19th to the 20th century.

• The third floor features works by artists from the second half of the 19th century.
• The fourth floor presents pieces from the early 20th century.
• The fifth floor highlights art from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, celebrating local creativity.
• The sixth floor displays works by major Italian artists from the second half of the 20th century.

Among the masterpieces on display are works by Gaetano Previati, Giovanni Fattori, Felice Casorati, Carlo Carrà, Mario Sironi, and Lucio Fontana, including his iconic Concetti spaziali (Spatial Concepts). The museum’s collections span painting, sculpture, and design, offering a complete overview of the key artistic movements that shaped modern Italy.

One of the museum’s true gems is the panoramic terrace on the sixth floor, part of Carlo Scarpa’s brilliant design. From here, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views over the Gulf of Trieste — a spectacle that turns magical at sunset, when the terrace becomes a charming summer café.

The Revoltella Museum continues to look to the future, striving to remain a welcoming and accessible cultural hub, a place where history, art, and innovation coexist in perfect harmony.

Address: Via Armando Diaz, 27, 34123 Trieste TS

Opening hours:

• Monday: 10:00 – 19:00
• Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 19:00

Tickets:

• Full price: €8.00
• Reduced: €6.00

Contacts:

• Phone: +39 040 675 4350

Website: www.museorevoltella.it

Cover photo credits: Official Website