Duino Slot

Duino Castle was built in the late 14th century on a cliff a few kilometres north of Trieste, and from the castle there is a stunning view of the Gulf of Trieste. In the 19th century, Prince Alexander von Thurn und Taxis and his wife, Princess Marie, took over the castle. The royal couple were very interested in art and literature and the poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote his collection of poems, Duino Elegies, when he visited the couple at Duino Castle in early 1912. The poetry collection consists of 10 philosophical poems and is considered his best work. He dedicated the poem to Princess Marie when it was finished, 10 years later, in 1922. Duino Castle still belongs to the family today. Part of the castle is a museum which, like the park, is open to the public.