Sartorio Pier

The Sartorio Pier tide-gauge station, located in a cabin on the northeast side of Molo Sartorio in Trieste harbor, is the oldest tide-gauge station in the Adriatic, with sea level observations dating back to 1859.

Currently, the station operates three float tide gauges: two digital OTT mod. Thalimedes gauges that record sea level every minute, and one analogue OTT gauge that continuously records on paper. The measurements are referenced to ‘Zero Istituto Talassografico’ (ZIT), which serves as the origin for the tide-gauge reference system. The ZIT is positioned at a known distance from the ‘Piastrina Mareografica,’ the main tide-gauge benchmark used during leveling surveys.

Calibration of the system occurs at least twice a month through direct measurements relative to the Piastrina Mareografica, using a hydrometer with a metric tape and electric contact.

Data collected are archived at ISMAR in Trieste, and most observations are accessible via international portals focused on sea level monitoring. Monthly and annual means since 1875 can be downloaded from the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level, while hourly means since 2009 are available from the Global Sea Level Observing System. The Trieste-Molo Sartorio station is part of the GLOSS Core Network (No. 340).

A historical time series of hourly data can be accessed through SEANOE. Additionally, the station hosts a tide gauge operated by the Civil Protection of Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia.