Hello guys,

We are going on a little trip to Duino (->map), a little Italian town near the slovenian border.
Around here, when we hear “Duino” (or “Devin” in slovenian) …we think of its castle.
“Castello di Duino” (or “Devinski Grad” in Slovenian) is the only reason you should stop in Duino.

From a distance, Castello di Duino looks a bit like a ferry tale castle.
Standing at the edge of a cliff, it really shines with its yellow outfit.
We can see the castle as far as “Sistiana” or “Monfalcone” (2 neighbouring cities on the shore).

If you are on holiday in this part of Italy or Slovenia…
…and want to give yourself a treat with nature, history, culture…
…well, don’t think twice.
Get in your car and go visit the Castello di Duino.

Of course, you can park your car near the castle and go visit it.
But that would be too boring and too simple.
If you are not affraid to walk a little, another option is to park your car 2 or 3 kimometers before in Sistiana and walk on a trail that goes along the cliff towards the castle.
This trail is called the “Rilke Trail”.
It was named after the poet “Rainer Maria Rilke” who lived in the castle between 1911 and 1912.
There, Rilke wrote a collection of ten elegies called “The Duino elegies”.
All along the trail, the view over the sea is breathtaking.
It is also a real delight to see the castle getting closer and closer as we walk towards it.

Once we get to the castle, after a 45 min walk, the reward is worth the effort.
The main gate to the castle and the path leading to it are really beautiful and make you feel welcome.

The garden around the castle is magnificent.
A rainbow of colors thanks to all the flowers in the garden, little alleys all around and benches inviting us to sit down and watch the blue sea.
The pool at the center of the main garden is surrounded by trees, flowers and an impeccably well maintained lawn.
A real work of art. The landscape architect who designed this garden was really spot on.
Simply beautiful, nothing else to say.

A little court inside the castle gives an extra charm to the castle.
From this inside court, we can take stairs to get to the top of the main tower.

From the top of the tower, the view is fantastic.
If the weather is nice and clear, we can see the coast as far as Sistiana, Monfalcone and Trieste.

The inside of the castle is also nice.
Some of the things exposed inside the castle (such as old instruments, paintings, sculptures …) are definitely worth to take a eye on them.
Two or three rooms inside are really fantastic because you have big windows allowing you to see the sea.
One room in particular gives access to a beautiful balcony above the sea.

For those of you who are curious, do not hesitate to go to the bunker underneath the castle.
It was used during the second world war.
If you are not affraid by stairs (a lot of stairs),you will find it interresting to watch many old things that soldiers left there more than 70 years ago.

My tips for Castello di Duino:

1/ Wander around in the alleys of the garden.
2/ Walk around the pool of the garden.
3/ Go inside the Castle.
4/ Go to the top of the tower and enjoy the view.
5/ Go see the world war II bunker under the Castle.
6/ Go visit Sistiana (2 km away).
7/ Go visit Villaggio del Pescatore (2 km away).
8/ Go visit San Giovanni di Duino (3 km away).