Duino Castle, Duino
Duino Castle rises on a rock protruding into the sea. Built in the 14th century, the fortress has long lost its defensive importance, having turned into one of the residences of the influential aristocratic family of Thurn und Taxis. It is not surprising that the guests are fascinated not only by the appearance of the castle, but also by the rich decoration. A skillfully created park is considered one of the most beautiful in the region.
Until recently, only the elite could enjoy the beauty of the castle and the surrounding area. Now Castello di Duino is open to visitors.
History of the castle
The construction of the castle began in 1389 at the request of the Wallsee family. It was necessary to build a fortress instead of a destroyed castle of the 11th century.
Construction began on the site of the Roman camp. Some elements of the foundation of ancient buildings were included in the buildings. The castle changed owners for several times, was partially destroyed and even used as a prison.
The Duino Castle was reborn, being in the possession of the Thurn und Taxis family. Gradually it became the center of local culture. It was visited by famous and distinguished guests: Empress Elizabeth, representatives of the Habsburg family, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Johann Strauss, Franz Liszt, Mark Twain and Rainer Maria Rilke. These places inspired Rilke to write the famous work "Duino Elegies".
During the First World War, the castle was fired at from the sea. And in 1943 German troops built a bunker on the territory.
In 2003, the owners of the castle decided to open part of the castle and the adjacent visitor park.
What to see while visiting the Duino Castle
In the Duino Castle, 18 rooms are now open for visiting, which contain antique interior elements, furniture, paintings and a large collection of musical instruments. You can enjoy the views by visiting the terraces of the castle, or by going up to the observation deck located on the tower.
Do not ignore the amazing park that descends from the castle to the sea. It is decorated with rare plants and sculptures, and a lot of flowers are planted in such a way that they are a delight to the eye all year round. There is the Duino bunker here, which in 2006 was turned into a museum.
If you have enough time, it is worth taking a stroll along the Rilke trail leading along the rocks from the castle to the village of Sistiana. The species here are simply breathtaking.
Not far from Castello di Duino there are also the ruins of an old castle.
How to get there
The castle is located in Duino, a seaside resort of the Duino-Aurisina commune, near Trieste. Buses № 43 and 44 stop outside Castello di Duino.
Opening hours:
The castle is open to visitors from March 17 to November 1 every day, except Tuesday, at this time:
- from 17 to 31 March – from 9:30 to 16:00;
- from April to September – from 9:30 to 17:30;
- the first half of October – from 9:30 to 17:00;
- the second half of October – from 9:30 to 16:00.
In winter, you can get here by previous appointment with the administration. It is also worth remembering that the castle is privately owned. Therefore, owners can restrict access to its territory during conferences, exhibitions and other events.
