Milan Woman Accuses Trieste Beach of Sexism After Sunbathing Incident

A physical altercation erupted on Saturday evening at Alla Lanterna, known locally as Pedocin, the sole gender-segregated beach in Europe, located in Trieste on Italy's northern coast. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. when a young woman from Milan, accompanied by her partner, attempted to sunbathe on the section of the beach reserved for men.

Separated by a physical wall, the beach divides the shoreline into distinct zones: one for men and another for women and children under the age of 12. When the couple was politely instructed to vacate the male side by a 50-year-old female beachgoer, the visitor reacted with anger. She labeled the confrontation "sexist" and "backward," declaring that Trieste felt "medieval" due to its segregation policies.

"You're living in the Middle Ages," the woman reportedly shouted, adding, "You're a bunch of sexist oafs... this is a form of discrimination. Shame on you." She further claimed that if a location upheld such customs, it could not be considered Italian. The confrontation escalated when the defiant woman approached the older woman threateningly and raised her hand, according to reports from Il Piccolo.

The beachgoer who challenged the couple had entered the men's area to assist her husband in taking their disabled son to the restroom. The wall separating the sexes has stood for over a century, enforcing a tradition where individuals wishing to interact with the opposite gender must wade into the sea and meet at designated buoys. Women often value this separation as it allows for topless bathing away from the public eye.

The disturbance required intervention from the men present on the beach to restore order, though a female beach worker was shoved during the chaos. Following the scuffle, the tourist couple departed the site but immediately demanded a refund of their €2.40 entrance fee.

Pedocin, a name thought to derive from the Trieste dialect word for mussel—though historically linked to areas where travelers deloused horses—appears frequently in local literature and film, including a 2016 documentary that chronicled its regulars. Unlike many coastal destinations, the beach features more pebbles than sand and attracts an older demographic who return frequently. While the entrance fee was previously €1, it rose to €2.40 around the time of the pandemic. Cards remain a popular pastime for the community that gathers at this unique waterside location.