Castle on the water (lucalorenzelli (123RF))
Roughly 90 minutes down the road from Aviano Air Base is Miramare Castle (Il Castello di Miramare), a castle complex built at the request of Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Habsburg in the mid-1850s.
Maximillian used the first floor of the castle as a residence for himself and his wife after he fell in love with the location. Supposedly Maximillian came up with the name from the Spanish phrase, “mira el mal” meaning “look at the sea.” The castle itself was not completed until 1864 and Maximillian never got to see it finished, unfortunately.
Maximillian was named “Emperor of Mexico” and relocated there with this wife. His life in Mexico was short-lived and Maximillian was executed in 1867 after refusing to abdicate the throne. Legend has it that his wife Carlotta (sometimes referred to as “Charlotte”) haunts Miramare Castle to this day in her grief.
Castle on the sea (123RF)
The storied history of Miramare Castle doesn’t end there. It switches hands from the Hapsburg Empire to the Italian government, the Viceroy of Ethiopia and Nazi possession, followed by Allied and American troop occupation. Today, it serves as a national history museum for you to marvel at and is the “most visited castle” in northeast Italy.
Miramare Castle lies along the Trieste coastline and in the summer you can even get there by boat. When the weather is favorable, you can spend the day strolling around the 54 acre park for free. It is filled with botanical wonders from all over the world, statues to gander at and fountains that cool the air on warm days.
Once inside the castle, you can visit the elaborately adorned chambers and the large throne room which is used for concerts and exhibitions today. There are guest rooms and Carlotta’s music room to see and you can learn more about the intriguing history of the castle. You can also visit the former stables which now house the BIOdiversitario Marino (BioMa), an immersive museum about the protected marine life area of Miramare.
Miramare Castle (123Rf)
The castle and adjoining park are open year-round. Admission to the park is free, but you must purchase tickets to enter the castle. Make sure to arrive early because this is a top destination in Italy, especially on a nice, sunny day. You can book your tickets in advance online at https://miramare.cultura.gov.it/visita/#orari.
