BARCOLANA
THE SEA ROUTES

When: Friday 3 October – Sunday 12 October 2025
Where: Altura, Roiano, Opicina
Official hashtag: #BarcolanaLeVieDelMare #BLVDM 
Info: cultura@barcolana.it

It is called “Le vie del Mare” (“The Sea Routes”), the new Barcolana project whose aim is to extend the spirit, events, value and enjoyment of Barcolana by passionately involving the areas of the city furthest from the seafront, thus bringing the sea into the neighbourhoods.

For the 57th edition, three areas of Trieste – Altura, Roiano and Opicina – will host the initiative coordinated by Massimo Patrizio for the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. From 3 to 12 October, these districts will be enlivened with numerous events.

The programme opens on Friday 3 October in Altura with the brand-new “Barcolana Skate Up”. From 2.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Barcolana takes over the square in front of the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, with a day full of music, movement and acrobatics thanks to the activities of ASD MTB 360 and San Giacomo’s Scena Skaters.

The afternoon begins with skateboarding: from 2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a workshop where instructors will be on hand for children and young people wishing to try the sport safely, learning or improving their skills. From 4 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. there will be free access to the skate ramp, followed at 6 p.m. by “Cash for Tricks”, a special one-trick challenge in which the best performances win prizes.

Alongside skateboarding, there will also be space for the world of BMX bikes: from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. athletes will give a demonstration, followed by “Play with Bike”, open to children from the age of three, with free on-site registration.

From Altura to Opicina: starting on 3 October, the Napoleonica – a panoramic terrace overlooking the Gulf of Trieste – will host various initiatives. Among them: “Napoleonica in Carriage”, on the afternoons of 3, 4, 10 and 11 October, dedicated to people with disabilities or reduced mobility, giving them the chance to admire the Gulf on a horse-drawn carriage ride. On 4, 5, 10 and 11 October it will also be possible to visit the Opicina Bunker, with donations welcome, to discover this part of local history. Other activities include: burraco tournaments, a historic tram exhibition, a cross-country slalom race, orienteering, a handicraft fair and entertainment for children. Local associations have developed the project to showcase the area’s unique character – suspended between the Karst and the sea.

In Roiano, the focus will be on the new square: a garden that enters the Barcolana programme from 4 October, with markets, concerts, dance school performances, live drawing sessions, mini theatre shows and tastings. Among the highlights are two nautical-themed events: the “Knot Lesson” on Friday 7 October at 5.30 p.m., and on 8 October at 5 p.m., “Sea Tales” by Paolo Rizzi.

Also in Roiano, the regional reading promotion project LeggiAMO 0-18 FVG will be featured on 7 October at 4.30 p.m. with the BILL Tribe Camp, open to children and families. BILL – the Library of Legality – promotes culture and civic awareness, encouraging the development of responsible citizenship. Led by LeggiAMO 0-18 FVG’s partner Damatrà Onlus, the project also involves the Trieste Juvenile Justice Social Service Office (USSM): some of the young people engaged in restorative justice programmes will take part as readers during the event.

The full programme is available online in the Barcolana Calendar and in printed form at the Infopoints.