Barbershop in Trieste Becomes Free Museum During the Barcolana Regatta

In the historic center of Trieste, Italy, a traditional barbershop has transformed into a small museum dedicated to the history of the profession. The initiative takes place during the weekend of the international Barcolana 58 regatta, when the city welcomes thousands of visitors and athletes. Located on Via del Canal Piccolo, the space opens its doors for free so that citizens and tourists can explore past instruments and techniques without necessarily booking a service.

The project is led by Mattia Rotta, owner of Barberia Moroni, who decided to integrate period pieces into the shop's daily routine. The permanent exhibition includes an early 20th-century barber chair, recovered in the Friuli region and restored, as well as an older children's chair dating from the late 19th century. These pieces allow visitors to observe the evolution of seating used in the trade over the decades.

One of the collection's highlights is a set of historical straight razors, which illustrates the technical trajectory of the tool that symbolizes the barber. The curation ranges from the oldest forms to the technological developments of the 18th and 19th centuries, including specific practices for maintaining blade effectiveness. Rotta explains that the idea was born out of his personal passion for history and the origins of his own craft.

The choice of location was not accidental: the barbershop's central position frequently attracts foreign visitors, which motivated the owner to offer something beyond conventional services. The goal is to give back to the city a cultural experience that values artisanal memory. During the event, the space will be exceptionally open on Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM, allowing free entry even during service hours.

The connection with the past goes beyond the physical exhibition; some historical techniques remain active in the barbershop, such as the use of fixed-blade straight razors for traditional shaves. The establishment's name honors Luigi Moroni, Rotta's maternal great-grandfather, who was also a barber in Castellanza, in the province of Varese. This family connection was discovered in 2022 and inspired the business identity.

The shop opened in January 2025, within a renovated property that reflects the Central European elegance typical of the region. With this new phase, Barberia Moroni positions itself as an alternative cultural point of interest during Barcolana week, offering a dive into Italian artisanal tradition through tangible objects and living techniques.