DUINO CASTLE

“Being here is glorious”, Rainer Maria Rilke

Duino Castle stands on a karst cliff overlooking the sea. Built in the 14th century on the ruins of a Roman military camp, it later became a cultural and humanistic center in the 18th century. Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi), Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the Counts of Chambord, Johann Strauss, Franz Liszt, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Gabriele d’Annunzio, Paul Valery, and last but not least, the Bohemian poet Rainer Maria Rilke all stopped here. It was while walking around the Castle that Rilke found the inspiration to write his most important work, the “Duino Elegies.” They comprise ten religious poems, recognized by critics as one of the writings that mark the transition between German Romanticism and modern poetry. The poet dedicated the Elegies to Princess Marie Thurn und Taxis as a sign of high esteem and deep friendship. In fact, the Castle still belongs to the descendants of the Thurn und Taxis family that acquired it in 1875 and is now run by Prince Dimitri of Thurn und Taxis.

Near the Castle stand the ruins of the Old Castle dating back to the 11th century and the beautiful park, which is spread over several levels and adorned with cascades of colorful flowers in summer time.

The Castle and its park were partially opened to the public in July 2003.