The University of Trieste and the University of Zadar, in collaboration with the Italian Association of Ancient Cartography Collectors ‘Roberto Almagià’ in Rome, are organising a unique exhibition featuring dozens of original ancient maritime maps of the Adriatic Sea. The exhibition will be held in the Palazzo del Provveditore in Zadar and will be officially inaugurated on Thursday, 18 September 2025, at 7 p.m.

The exhibition, entitled "THE SEA THAT UNITES. The maritime charts that shaped the image of the Adriatic from the 16th to the 19th century", is accompanied by a trilingual publication consisting of an introductory essay and a detailed cartographic catalogue of the documents on display in the exhibition, available in print on the day of the inauguration and in digital format (published by EUT - Edizioni Università di Trieste) via QR code. The authors of the exhibition and publication are professors Josip Faričić of the University of Zadar, Orietta Selva and Dragan Umek of the University of Trieste.

The maps presented in the exhibition come from different cartographic centres, each of which uses different methodologies and conceptual frameworks, but despite their differences, they share a common goal: the Adriatic Sea as one of the most vital areas of the Mediterranean. In these representations, the Adriatic is not only depicted, but constructed and imagined, incorporated into the mental maps of individuals and communities. These nautical charts intertwine the physical and the symbolic, creating a layered reality that encompasses both concrete geographies and imaginary spaces, tangible evidence of the exchange of ideas and cultures. Cartography thus becomes a multidimensional bridge, connecting science and technology, art and geography, maritime affairs and other economic activities. These maps, as instruments of cultural exchange and convergence between peoples, states and regions along the Adriatic coast, serve as means of communication that convey different messages. Their rich informational value confirms the role of cartography not only as a technical science, but also as a formative element in shaping the social and economic life of communities.

The exhibition will be replicated in Trieste during the Barcolana57 cultural events and inaugurated on 5 October 2025.