Freemasonry in the Adriatic between the Habsburgs and Napoleon: Luca G. Manenti at the International Symposium in Rijeka
The international symposium “Freemasonry in the Illyrian Provinces – Heritage and History of European Freemasonry”took place on Friday 6 November 2026 in Rijeka (Fiume), Croatia. Dedicated to the history of Freemasonry in the eastern Adriatic between the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the event was held at Palazzo Modello, home to the Italian Community, and brought together scholars from Italy, Croatia and Slovenia, including Luca G. Manenti, historian and Scientific Director of the Manlio Cecovini Study Society.
Manenti opened the programme with a lecture entitled “The Three Eagles: Adriatic Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite from the Habsburgs to Napoleon and Beyond”, tracing the history of Masonic lodges in the northern Adriatic and the development of the Scottish Rite through the political transformations of the Habsburg and Napoleonic periods.
Particular attention was devoted to Trieste and its role as an international port and a meeting place for people, cultures and ideas. As reported by the Croatian newspaper Novi List, which published an article on the symposium, Manenti highlighted how the intensity of trade and the presence of people from abroad had encouraged the establishment of Masonic lodges. He also explored the social dimension of Freemasonry at the time, noting how its members frequented theatres and cafés, as well as the influence exerted by the Grand Orient on political life.
The symposium continued with a presentation by historian Matevž Košir, focusing on Freemasonry in Koper (Capodistria) and Ljubljana during the period of the Illyrian Provinces. Drawing on historical documents, including a rare membership list from a Masonic lodge of the time, Košir examined the connections between the various lodges and the role played by military Masonic organisations.
Benjamin Novosel explored the history of Freemasonry in Rijeka and along the eastern Adriatic coast, focusing on the places where Masonic activities took place, from the former Sugar Refinery to the historic Adamich Theatre, in the area where Palazzo Modello now stands. The symposium also addressed the role of Masonic lodges in Dalmatia and their relations with the Habsburg authorities, who subjected Masonic organisations to various forms of surveillance.
The symposium provided an opportunity for international scholarly exchange on a chapter of European history in which Freemasonry was closely intertwined with the political, cultural and social transformations of the eastern Adriatic, highlighting the historical connections linking Trieste, Rijeka, Koper and Ljubljana.
The Croatian newspaper Novi List published an article on the event, written by Sandy Uran and accompanied by photographs by Nikola Blagojević.
Watch the video of the conference
Photo Nikola BLAGOJEVIĆ
