My husband and I visited Miramare Castle as we were leaving Trieste on our way to Slovenia earlier this summer. The castle was built for Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium, in 1856 to 1860. Maximilian was the younger brother of Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria, but he was appointed Emperor of Mexico in 1864 (long, fascinating story) and executed in Mexico in 1867. So long story short, he didn't live at Miramare long. But the castle has a fascinating history and is worth a visit for that alone. The architecture is maximalist and stunning, but I wish there was more information as you walked around the castle (either as an audio guide or information plaques/signs around the building). But it was the grounds of the castle that really blew my mind. When we arrived, it was pouring rain, which gave the castle a little extra ambiance. As we explored the castle, the weather did a 180 and it became a gorgeous day - blue skies and sunshine over the Gulf of Trieste. That cliffside view of the castle is really something. All in all, well worth a visit even if you're not mildly obsessed with Maximilian like I am. read more

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When you visit Trieste, make sure you save a few hours to go and visit this place. The castle was built from 1856 to 1860 for Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and his wife Charlotte of Belgium, better known as Emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlota. Their "backyard" - a 54 acres garden - was designed by Maximilian himself. Being raised in Trieste I have a lot of wonderful memories of this place. My dad liked bringing us all there for a stroll in the park, "to see the squirrels, feed the swans, and sit on the cannons" or to visit the castle. I always loved everything about this place and was always trying to imagine Maximilian and Carlota walking in the gardens and living in that beautiful castle built right on the sea with all those different tinted windows, whose purpose was to be able to see all day long the colors of the sky and the sea that appears in different times of the day. Of course, I also always hoped to experience the "famous ghost" said to be walking the castle and the gardens: in 1864 Maximilian was captured and shot at age of 35 during the civil war in Mexico, where he had moved with Carlota after being offered the title of Emperor of Mexico, and according to the legend, his soul returned to Miramare to enjoy his garden. (There is a second legend too: Carlota, who became mentally ill after Maximilian's death, is said to have put a curse on the castle so that all royal or military couples who would overnight there would die of a violent death away from their home country, which... actually did happen for some folks). This place is right outside the city and easily reachable by car or bus. If you want to reach it by public transportation (which I would recommend anyways), be prepared to travel in buses which can be overcrowded: to get there you have to pass Barcola, the "beach neighborhood" of the city, a favorite spot for locals who love to go there in summer for the beach, but also anytime the weather is pleasant. I moved abroad many years ago and never had the chance to go back to Miramare until last year. Apparently the entire place had been much neglected for many years in the past, but luckily a lot of restorations (some still in place) brought it back to its past splendor. The garden is as gorgeous, although some spots have now limited access to the public (sorry: no more sitting on the cannons!). Walking in the park is very relaxing: there is a wide range of different trees and vegetation, trails, fountains, a small lake (no swans though...) and even the coffee place is open again! The "small castle" and the "greenhouses" are still under restoration, but the beautiful panorama that you can enjoy from the park never changed. The only bad part in my opinion is the street that brings you the park and castle. It is a small side road but since you can still park along it (for a fee), it can be extremely busy with cars and pedestrian don't have a lot of room left to walk: I wish that stretch would be closed to cars, at least starting from the ex-stables of the castle. The entrance to the park is free but there is a fee for the castle, which unfortunately I couldn't visit: I was there on a sunny Sunday morning and there was a huge line waiting. read more

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Castello di Miramare ("looking at the sea) is a must visit for anyone in the Trieste area. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Adriatuc See, the panoramic view from the Castello spans the lovely city of Trieste and all along the coastline of Slovenia. (Think top right back of the Italy "boot"). Built around 1855-60 the Castello incorporates a melange of then popular European and even some interior Moorish architectural styles, making it somewhat atypical and unique in that respect. Built for an Austrian Archduke, the Castello and is furnishings do convey a sense of the royal blood of its occupants. There is a Somewhat of a tragic story of its occupants which I won't spoil with this review. The formal gardens adjacent to the Castello overlook the sea as well and are lovely. A short hike along the grounds will take you to smaller scenic gardens, vistas and alcoves, which when we were there were all inhabited by kissing or cuddling couples which I suspect is the norm for those little romantic hideaway spots. Apparently there is an important and interesting marine aquatic center on the property but it was closed when we were there. read more

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This eclectic edifice was built between 1856 and 1860 according to the wishes of Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg (later to become Emperor of Mexico), and planned by Carl Junker. The interior furniture and decorations are genuine period pieces. The extensive park (22 hectares) is located on the seashore and was designed by the Archduke. The cliff it was built on, which had no vegetation whatsoever at the time, was cultivated with numerous tropical species of trees and plants read more

Castello di Miramare - Castles Near Me - Trieste, TS

One of the Go To places when you visit Trieste. Unfortunately the gardens are very run down. The town council really should invest in making it better since a lot of tourists visit it each day. The castle is worth the visit but i wouldn't consider going inside as it's not that impressive and not worth the entry price. Tip: If you can find it there's a very nice little pond with a lot of turtles in it :D It's on the higher end of the gardens! read more

Beautiful castle, gorgeous views out to the sea. The nearby gardens could have been amazing, but they have been criminally neglected (the festering pool of green water in the garden was likely a wonderful sight when someone was taking care of it). The castle interior is interesting. Unfortunately, the tour leaders let their groups get so big that everyone else is crowded out of rooms or can't get through. Worst of all is the rude and nasty staffers inside. From the tour leaders to the gift shop personnel, we were taken aback by the unwelcoming, hostile attitude. read more