On Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., the conference "Grado between Austria and Italy. The tourist vocation of a seaside city" will take place in the Grado City Council Chamber (Town Hall, Piazza Biagio Marin 4) in Grado.

This is the fourth event in the series of popular seminars entitled Porti, popolazioni, società in un'area di frontiera, promoted by the Department of Humanities (DiSU) with the scientific coordination of professor Tullia Catalan.

Grado's tourist appeal dates back to the 19th century, when it became a seaside resort and summer retreat for the Austrian bourgeoisie. This led to the architectural transformation of its urban spaces, the organization of long-lasting seasonal social life, and its transformation over time into a health resort, particularly popular with tourists to this day. Indeed, Grado can be seen as a laboratory for contemporary sustainable tourism, thanks to its long-term vocation.

The speakers scheduled will be Massimo Degrassi (UniTS), Luciano Cicogna (Municipality of Grado), Paride Camuffo (independent researcher) and Tullia Catalan (UniTS).