by Redazione 14/11/2026

In the area of Palermo’s Trapezoidal Pier, the project—funded by the Sicilian Region through the “Connessioni” call for proposals—is revitalizing the former Sailem building and transforming it into a space featuring an immersive museum, a coworking space, and areas for cultural initiatives.

In Palermo, a derelict building has been transformed into a new space dedicated to culture, nature, and innovation. “Porta di Mare,” the cultural center housed inthe former Sailem building within the Molo Trapezoidale Archaeological Park, has been inaugurated. The project was funded by the Sicilian Region through the “Connessioni – New Places for Innovation in Sicily” call for proposals, promoted by the Regional Department of Productive Activities.

The facility combines several functions: it houses an immersive museum, coworking spaces, and areas dedicated to cultural events and initiatives. The goal is to create a meeting place where knowledge, creativity, and the business world converge, fostering collaboration across different sectors and offering new opportunities to utilize the city’s historical heritage and public spaces. The initiative is part of a regional program aimed at supporting the creation of new hubs for innovation in Sicily through projects that connect cultural activities with economic development.

“Sicily’s real challenge is not merely to restore the sites of its history, but to give them a purpose for the future,” states Edy Tamajo, Regional Councilor for Productive Activities. “Porta di Mare embodies this very idea of development: a heritage that ceases to be merely a memory and becomes knowledge, enterprise, employment, and opportunity. For too long, we have viewed culture, innovation, and economic development as separate worlds. We must move beyond this mindset. Culture is the infrastructure of development, research is an economic resource, and beauty can become a factor in competitiveness. This is the vision we sought to support through the ‘Connessioni’ call for proposals, by investing in places capable of fostering connections between universities, businesses, young talent, and communities.”

In Palermo, the former Sailem building is being transformed into a hub dedicated to culture and innovation

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