This morning saw the presentation of the progress of the restoration works on Villa Sevastopulo – also known as the "Castelletto di Monte Valerio" – located within the university grounds of the University of Trieste. The event was attended by Roberto Di Lenarda, Rector of the University of Trieste, and Massimo Paniccia, President of Fondazione CRTrieste. They were joined by Paco Ferrante, Director of Works.

The restoration, which began in 2023 and is scheduled for completion by spring 2026, involves the conservative rehabilitation of the building, the upgrading of facilities to current regulations, and the restoration of its decorative and historical features. The project goes beyond conservation, representing a significant opportunity to enhance the cultural and educational value of one of Trieste’s architectural treasures. Each element recovered, each fresco brought back to light, reopens a page of history to be shared with future generations.

Closed since 2010, Villa Sevastopulo’s restoration also strengthens the long-standing collaboration between the University and the Foundation, already active in scientific, medical and technological fields. This partnership once again demonstrates how institutional cooperation can generate cultural, social and educational value for the wider community.

The presentation also served as a reflection on the deep relationship between the Foundation and the University in view of the upcoming handover of leadership on 1st August from Roberto Di Lenarda (Rector since 2019) to Donata Vianelli, elected as the University’s first female Rector in May. Between 2019 and 2025, resources totalling €11,649,746.00 have been made available.

Fondazione CRTrieste remains strongly committed to supporting projects in the arts and cultural heritage sector, in the belief that preserving historical memory enriches the territory and strengthens its collective identity. It is within this framework that the Foundation has contributed €800,000 towards the restoration of Villa Sevastopulo, in addition to the building’s total project budget of €5,000,000.

Project Details: “Castelletto” Restoration

The full restoration plan includes structural rehabilitation, asbestos removal, installation of accessibility features, fire safety upgrades, and the integration of new service and technical systems.

The specific restoration works focus on the ground and first floors, targeting original ceilings, frescoed and painted walls, wood and mosaic flooring, and original stone slabs. Historical windows and external decorative finishes will also be carefully restored.

Villa Sevastopulo: A Historic Residence

Villa Sevastopulo was built in 1862 to designs by architect Feliciano Vittori. It is a prime example of the eclectic neo-Gothic style that flourished in late 19th-century Europe, especially among the emerging bourgeoisie seeking to express their status through architecture reminiscent of medieval nobility, yet equipped with the comforts of modern life.

Originally the private residence of industrialist and patriot Angelo Valerio, the villa spans five levels with a total floor area of approximately 550 square metres. Its asymmetrical layout features battlements, octagonal towers, turrets, buttresses, rounded arch windows and sharp corners – a dynamic, jagged composition with strong Lombard-Venetian Gothic influences.

The interiors are richly decorated. The main floor includes a frescoed salon featuring painted panoramic views of Trieste and Monte Valerio, reflecting the romantic taste for landscape and historical memory.

Acquired in 1962 by the University of Trieste, the villa subsequently housed the Biological Institutes of the Faculties of Science and Pharmacy.

Statements

“The restored Castelletto will be returned to our university in all its original splendour, highlighting both its history and its potential for future use,” said Rector Roberto Di Lenarda. “Thanks to the invaluable support of Fondazione CRTrieste – a testament to UniTS’s strong ties with the local area – the Piazzale Europa campus will once again host a true gem, one in which not only our university community, but the entire city, can take pride.”

“The Foundation is proud to contribute to the revival of a place so steeped in history and beauty,” commented Massimo Paniccia, President of Fondazione CRTrieste. “This is not merely a restoration, but an investment in knowledge, culture and the education of future generations. Our collaboration with the University of Trieste demonstrates how institutional synergy can generate meaningful value for the community.”