english

The headland of Miramare is located only a few kilometres from the city centre of Trieste. Here, in a very privileged position vertically to the sea, the white castle wanted by Maximilian of the Asburgo family of Austria (1832 – 1867), Francis Joseph's younger brother.

Surrounded by a wonderful park of twenty-two hectares, with a moltitude of rare botanical species beyond belief , the castle is a rare example of a noble residence of mid-seventeenth century.

The park and the castle do represent Maximilian's personality and interests: romantic, a dreamer, the young admiral and commander of the austrian motor pool, unfortunate emperor-to-be of Mexico, he got fascinated by the beautiful mediterranean landscape, harsh and savage, of the headland of Grignano.

He decided to build his official residence here, and it had to represent the power of his dinasty, but it had to be a place for meditation and rest to share with his beloved consort, Charlotte of Sax,  Belgian king's daughter.

It is possible to relive some of the moments of Maximilian's life and passions through a succession of objects and documents linked to his long stay at Miramare: his love for sea and for maritime life, the government of the Lombard-Venetian region, the projects for the building of the castle, the sad epilogue of his political career in the far away land of Mexico.

The castle, made of two parts joined by an monumental staircase, includes the ground floor, first floor and mezzanine floor, with a crenellated tower facing the sea.

In the inside, perfectly preserved, the rich furnishings and the ornamental decorations can be admired. They characterise this prestigious example of eclectic style of the culture of the seventeenth century, and the castle attracts visitors from all over the world, yesterday as today.