To be found in the village of Duino outside Trieste
Duino Castle is a favourite of mine, I've visited quite a few times! It's only been opened to the public since 2003, but I can remember seeing it from the train as we travelled into Trieste. Once it was opened to the public I went along to look at what was beyond the gate. The castle is still privately owned by the del Torre e Tasso family and Prince Dimitri now runs it.
The castle can be reached by local bus from Trieste, it's bus number 44 and be prepared for a long trip as the bus weaves its way in and out of various towns and villages before it gets to Duino. There are some quite spectacular views of the coastline as the bus climbs up into the Karst (the mountainous area behind Trieste) The signs you see are interesting as they're bilingual in Italian and Slovene, it's a border region and there are Slovene speakers who live there. After about 50 minutes (reinforcing that it's a long trip!) the bus pulls into Duino and it's time to get off. (By this stage the bus is practically empty as Duino is the third to last stop on the bus' run) Cross the road and turn a small corner and the castle's main entrance is infront of you. Also the bus stop for the return journey to Trieste, check the times, the buses aren't that frequent and if you miss one you could be in for a long wait!
Castle entrance
The blue ribbon made me smile, it's a common sight in Trieste when a baby boy is born. A blue ribbon is attached to the apartment building door or gate to a house (pink if it's a girl and a white one if someone from the house is getting married) Prince Dimitri and his wife had their second son in May so that's the reason for the ribbon. It let everyone know the baby was a boy, another Prince Louis it turns out.
Once through the gate you make your way up to the castle, the oldest part of the castle dates back to 1389. It's not even the original castle, the ruins of that can be seen from the current castle. Duino Castle was bombed and badly damaged during World War I and the damaged parts repaired from 1920-30 so there are two distinct sections. The old part are the traditional grey stones and the newer part is yellow render on the parts of the castle that face out and grey in the courtyard facing in.
Upon entering the castle area the first major room you enter is in the old part of the castle and is known as the grotto.
The grotto
Next there's a room showing the history of the Torre and Tasso family, originally known as Thurn und Taxis, but later Italianised. Prince Dimitri's grandmother was Princess Eugenie of Greece and Denmark (a first cousin of Prince Philip) and there are lots of interesting family connections because of that. As well as some artefacts, letters and documents. There was a no photo sign entering that room so as a good rule follower I just looked!
Inside the castle there are different rooms set up with explanations in four languages which is helpful.
The second floor terrace, I love this view! The castle gardeners always have it beautifully planted out. Looking out in this direction you can see the ruins of the old castle and in the distance the shipyards of Monfalcone.
The ancient castle ruins up on a rocky outcrop.
The ruins close up thanks to a long lens!
The tower and the oldest part of the castle. It's possible to climb to the top of the tower.
Across the courtyard from the tower is the newer part of the castle, the part rebuilt in the 1920s.
From the courtyard you can also access the tiny family chapel.
The old part of the castle from the gardens, the gardens are what really make Duino Castle such a lovely place to visit. A credit to their gardeners! To do the gardens justice I'm leaving them for another post.
The 1920s rebuild (with yellow render!) from the lower garden area.
The gate keepers lodge, exit to Duino village.
Duino Castle is a small pretty castle with lovely gardens overlooking the sea outside of Trieste, it's well worth stopping by and having a look. There's a small bar and cafe on site for anyone who wants to have lunch or a snack.
The grounds are lovely and there's also a not so lovely part which is the World War II bunker that can be found in the grounds as well. But that's for another post!
Gardens and bunker
Duino Castle is a favourite of mine, I've visited quite a few times! It's only been opened to the public since 2003, but I can remember seeing it from the train as we travelled into Trieste. Once it was opened to the public I went along to look at what was beyond the gate. The castle is still privately owned by the del Torre e Tasso family and Prince Dimitri now runs it.
The castle can be reached by local bus from Trieste, it's bus number 44 and be prepared for a long trip as the bus weaves its way in and out of various towns and villages before it gets to Duino. There are some quite spectacular views of the coastline as the bus climbs up into the Karst (the mountainous area behind Trieste) The signs you see are interesting as they're bilingual in Italian and Slovene, it's a border region and there are Slovene speakers who live there. After about 50 minutes (reinforcing that it's a long trip!) the bus pulls into Duino and it's time to get off. (By this stage the bus is practically empty as Duino is the third to last stop on the bus' run) Cross the road and turn a small corner and the castle's main entrance is infront of you. Also the bus stop for the return journey to Trieste, check the times, the buses aren't that frequent and if you miss one you could be in for a long wait!
The blue ribbon made me smile, it's a common sight in Trieste when a baby boy is born. A blue ribbon is attached to the apartment building door or gate to a house (pink if it's a girl and a white one if someone from the house is getting married) Prince Dimitri and his wife had their second son in May so that's the reason for the ribbon. It let everyone know the baby was a boy, another Prince Louis it turns out.
Once through the gate you make your way up to the castle, the oldest part of the castle dates back to 1389. It's not even the original castle, the ruins of that can be seen from the current castle. Duino Castle was bombed and badly damaged during World War I and the damaged parts repaired from 1920-30 so there are two distinct sections. The old part are the traditional grey stones and the newer part is yellow render on the parts of the castle that face out and grey in the courtyard facing in.
Upon entering the castle area the first major room you enter is in the old part of the castle and is known as the grotto.
Next there's a room showing the history of the Torre and Tasso family, originally known as Thurn und Taxis, but later Italianised. Prince Dimitri's grandmother was Princess Eugenie of Greece and Denmark (a first cousin of Prince Philip) and there are lots of interesting family connections because of that. As well as some artefacts, letters and documents. There was a no photo sign entering that room so as a good rule follower I just looked!
Inside the castle there are different rooms set up with explanations in four languages which is helpful.
The second floor terrace, I love this view! The castle gardeners always have it beautifully planted out. Looking out in this direction you can see the ruins of the old castle and in the distance the shipyards of Monfalcone.
Across the courtyard from the tower is the newer part of the castle, the part rebuilt in the 1920s.
The old part of the castle from the gardens, the gardens are what really make Duino Castle such a lovely place to visit. A credit to their gardeners! To do the gardens justice I'm leaving them for another post.
Duino Castle is a small pretty castle with lovely gardens overlooking the sea outside of Trieste, it's well worth stopping by and having a look. There's a small bar and cafe on site for anyone who wants to have lunch or a snack.
The grounds are lovely and there's also a not so lovely part which is the World War II bunker that can be found in the grounds as well. But that's for another post!
Gardens and bunker
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