The entrance fees applicable in 2019 can be found here
castello di duino
"Being here is the wonder...",
Rainer Maria Rilke
Introduction
a unique experience
Private residence of the Princes della Torre e Tasso (von Thurn und Taxis), the Castle of Duino is open to the public since 2003. The Castle is currently open every day except Tuesdays. Immerse yourself in a fascinating attraction combining history, culture & breath-taking views on the Gulf of Trieste...
Discover
find out more about
Rilke
In 1912, Austrian-Bohemian writer and poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) began to write portions of his famous work, the Duino Elegies, while visiting Duino Castle as a guest of the Princess Marie von Thurn und Taxis (born Princess von Hohenlohe). While walking along the cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea near the Castle, Rilke claimed to hear a voice calling to him speaking the words of the first line: “Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen? ” (“Who, if I cried out, would hear me among the hierarchies of angels?“), which he quickly wrote in his notebook. Within days, he produced drafts of the first two elegies in the series (of ten) and drafted passages and fragments that would later be incorporated into later elegies, including the opening passage of the 10th elegy.
The Duino Elegies are recognised by critics and scholars as his most important work and one of the chief transitional works between the apex of German Romanticism and Modernist poetry. They are ten intensely religious, mystical poems that weigh beauty and existential suffering. Rilke finished the work in Switzerland after a ten-year period where depression and an existential crisis rendered him unable to continue writing. Upon publication in 1922, Rilke dedicated the work to the Princess, who he esteemed as one of his greatest patrons and closest friends.
The Bunker
The Bunker of the Castle of Duino has an area of 400 square metres and is 18 metres deep. It was constructed in 1943 by the forced-labour organisation TODT for the German navy to defend the naval base of Sistiana against a possible Allied attack. The Bunker was used as air-raid shelter for the people of Duino, before it was armoured with a cannon by the Germans. From 1945 to 1954, it was used by the Brits as a fuel store.
The Bunker was opened to the public by the Princes della Torre e Tasso in March 2006 to witness those tragic years.
The Castle
The Castle of Duino was erected during the 14th century on the ruins of a Roman military outpost and during the 17th century it began to acquire its status as a cultural and humanistic centre, one that it maintains to this day. It has hosted a number of prestigious guests: Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi), the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the Counts of Chambord, Johann Strauss, Franz Liszt, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Gabriele d’Annunzio, Paul Valery or, most important of all, the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who composed the first two of his famous “Duino Elegies” while staying at the Castle.
It is possible to visit more than 18 rooms of the Castle, full of testimonies telling the long history of the family of the Princes della Torre e Tasso. Not to miss: the Palladio Staircase (a masterpiece of architecture!), the 1810 forte-piano (played by Liszt!) and the stunning seascape that one has from the bastions above the sea as well as from below the Diocletian tower dating back to the 3rd century AD.
The Park
Close by the cliff top path named after the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, the park of the Castle of Duino was initially designed by Marie von Thurn und Taxis (born zu Hohenlohe, 1855-1934) and then transformed by Raimondo von Thurn und Taxis (della Torre e Tasso) in 1954.
Set up on different levels, the park displays extensive cascades of flowers of many types that form splashes of colours within the classical Mediterranean vegetation. You will be able to see many statues across the park, as well as an ancient well with the family crest. More than 21.000 flowers are planted in periodical rotation throughout the year, among which New Guinea impatiens, zinnias, begonias, ageratums (floss flowers), alyssum plants, …
History
Near the Castle are the ruins of the Old Castle which dates back to the 11th century and belonged to the patriarchy of Aquileia. The Castle itself dates back to 1389, when the Wallsee family commanded the construction of a strong fortress. Over time, the Wallsee family disappeared and the Castle, after having been used as a prison, became the residence of the Hofer, Captains of Austria.
Mathias Hofer’s daughter marries Raimondo della Torre Valsassina who receives the Castle at the end of the 16th century. The Thurn-Hofer Valsassina family keeps the Castle which will officially be attributed to them by Emperor Leopold in 1660. Teresa, the last of the Thurn-Hofer Valsassina, marries Prince Egon zu Hohenlohe mid-19th century.
The Castle goes to the Thurn und Taxis family in 1875 when their daughter, Princess Marie zu Hohenlohe, marries Prince Alexander von Thurn und Taxis from the Czech branch of the House of Thurn and Taxis. It remains with the family to the present day with his great-great-grandson Prince Dimitri della Torre e Tasso, born in 1977.
The Castle and its park have been partially opened to the public since 2003.
Visits
when you come to the castle
Planning a visit? Find out here all you need to know!
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A question about your visit? Send us a message at: visite@castellodiduino.it
Events
make your event unique
The Castle of Duino is a fascinating location where it is possible to organise weddings, gala dinners or congresses. Art exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, eno-gastronomic gatherings are also hosted periodically. The Castle can also be rented as location for films or photo-shoots.
Upon request, we can also provide a variety of additional services for the success of your event (tents, heaters, guided tours, guarded cloakroom, babysitting, transfers (road, boat, air), … A question about the organisation of your event? Send us a message at: info@castellodiduino.it
Exhibitions
currently at the castle
Historical Musical Instruments:
Thanks to the generosity of Prof. José Vázquez and his Foundation Orpheon, you will be able to admire a unique collection of fine string instruments comprising violins, violas, violoncellos, violas da gamba, violas d’amore, barytons and historical bows created from 1570 to 1780, all of which are faithfully restored to the original measurements and playable.
Contact
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