Museo Castello di Duino

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Duino Castle stands on a rocky spur overlooking the Gulf of Trieste, on the remains of an ancient Roman military post. Sources also mention the nearby Castello Vecchio, of medieval origin and linked to the Patriarchate of Aquileia, while the present building dates from 1389 and was built by the Walsee family. It later passed to the Thurn-Hofer Valsassina family, who owned it until 1660, and in 1875 it was bought by the princes of Thurn und Taxis, now the princes della Torre e Tasso, who still own it.

The residence has been open to the public since 1 July 2003. The route passes through more than eighteen furnished rooms, with the Palladian staircase, portraits and family memorabilia, an 1810 fortepiano on which Franz Liszt played, and a model of a postal coach that recalls the history of the Tasso family, who held the European postal service. Illustrious guests of the castle included Sissi, Johann Strauss, Liszt and Hugo von Hofmannsthal.

The castle is linked above all to the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, a guest of Princess Maria in 1912: it was here that he began the Duino Elegies, published in 1922. The terraced gardens, with fountains, statues and seasonal flowers, were created at the wish of Princess Maria and renewed in 1954. Since 2006 the bunker built in 1943 for the German navy can also be visited: about 400 m² excavated 18 m deep, later used as an air-raid shelter and as a fuel store by the British Army.

Highlights

• Palladian staircase and more than eighteen historic rooms
• 1810 fortepiano played by Franz Liszt
• Terraces and bastions overlooking the Gulf of Trieste
• Memorabilia of Rainer Maria Rilke and the Duino Elegies
• Second World War bunker 18 m deep
• Terraced garden with seasonal flowers

Permanent exhibitions

• Sale storiche del castello – Route through more than eighteen rooms of the residence of the princes della Torre e Tasso, with the Palladian staircase, portraits, furnishings and Liszt’s fortepiano.
• Bunker – Shelter built in 1943 for the German navy, open to visitors since 2006: about 400 m² at a depth of 18 m.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Principi della Torre e Tasso

Admission & discounts

Reciprocal discount for anyone presenting a ticket from the Immaginario Scientifico of Trieste; cannot be combined with other reductions.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The website gives no information on accessibility; as this is a castle with staircases and bastions, it is advisable to contact the castle before visiting.

Kids & families

A reduced ticket is available for children aged 7 to 17; admission is free under 7.

Getting there & parking

Address: Frazione Duino 32, 34011 Duino-Aurisina (TS).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop with souvenirs, Murano jewellery and guidebooks. The refreshment point is temporarily closed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 149 guests.

Weddings from 19:00 with indoor and outdoor spaces for 120–130 guests; conference hall for up to 149 people with audio and video equipment; also galas, concerts, cultural events and photo and film shoots.

Plan your visit