Origins and historical context
The Military Hospital of Trieste has deep roots dating back to 1789, when it was established to serve the Caserma Grande located in Piazza Oberdan, then called Contrada del Torrente. This first structure, facing via del Coroneo, was a solid three-story building with 116 beds, intended to care for the soldiers of the garrison and represented one of the most equipped military health facilities of the era.
During the course of the XIX century, particularly during the Restoration and the era of Austrian neo-absolutism under Minister Alexander Bach, the growing military presence and the significant increase in soldiers stationed in Trieste and Istria (over 5600 in Trieste and 20000 in Istria) imposed the need for a new and larger hospital.
Construction of the new hospital in via Fabio Severo
Between 1863 and 1866, the building of the current ex Military Hospital was constructed based on a project attributed to the engineer Luigi Buzzi. The building was erected on land that was open countryside at the time, belonging to the merchant Isacco Guetta, in the area now corresponding to via Fabio Severo (then called via Commerciale nuova). The structure, designed to accommodate up to 600 patients, represented a significant investment in military health architecture.
Architecturally, the building reflects an eclectic style with very marked elements of neogotico, particularly visible in the “Casa del Comandante”, the front building of the complex. Original features such as the sandstone floor (“masegni”) and large pilasters in Carso stone characterized the main spaces, while the carpentry details came from timber from Austrian forests.
Role during the XX century and conflicts
During the World War I, the hospital was a reference structure for the hospitalization of military victims, but it soon exceeded its capacity with more than a thousand wounded already before Christmas 1914. In addition to the hospital in via Fabio Severo, the survivors were assisted in other affiliated facilities such as:
- the emigrants' hotel of the Austro-Americana company
- the Eintracht gymnastics society Eintracht
- the Austria society as well as the civil hospital of the Maddalena for the most serious and infectious cases.
During the course of the twentieth century, the Military Hospital served the health needs of Austrian troops, the Italian army and the successive occupation forces, with its activity continuing until 1989.
Decline and recovery
From 1989 the building was closed and went through a long period of abandonment and decay until the start of a complex restoration intervention in 2006. The recovery respected the original historical and architectural elements, bringing back details such as the sandstone floor and the stone pillars, while some wooden parts were recovered and restored. The period clock has been restored but is no longer functional.
Today the ex Military Hospital has been transformed into a modern residence intended for students, researchers and teachers, combining functional innovation with respect for the historical and architectural value of the complex.