Friuli-Venezia Giulia is the North East Italian region bordering Slovenia and Austria. It is often overlooked by the regular tourist who prefers to visit and explore the three cities of Rome, Venice and Florence and the surrounding areas near these cities. For an Italophile and a person looking to venture off the beaten path in Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia is a region not to be missed. One of the unique places to visit in this region is Castello di Miramare, which is a beautiful castle overlooking the edge of a cliff. In my opinion, this castle is the Pearl of the Adriatic and should not be missed when visiting the region of Friuli.
Castello di Miramare
Castello di Miramare
Castello di Miramare: Pearl of the Adriatic
The Story
Overlooking the stark waters of the Adriatic, Castello di Miramare is an easy day trip from Trieste. The castle is a sight to behold and gives a beautiful impression from both near and afar. The wide expanse of Adriatic Sea can make you giddy as you look around Castello di Miramare. Imagine the vision with which it was built by Archduke Ferdinand Maximilan in 1860! He got it built for his wife Charlotte of Belgium to declare his love. Not only was it a quiet retreat for them in the summer but also a great place to relax in the winter.
Castello di Miramare has 20 rooms which the Archduke wanted his wife to enjoy. Unfortunately the Archduke died at an early age of 34 and it is said that Charlotte went insane after his death. She spent her days in the castle pining for her lost love. Similar to many historic places, Miramare’s tragedy adds to the drama of the place. Some locals even believe that spending a night in this castle could lead to a person’s death because the castle is cursed by Charlotte and the tragedy that happened to her!!
Castello di Miramare
Castello di Miramare
Castello di Miramare may have a tragedy attached to it but it is absolutely safe to spend the day here!! The grounds, gardens, ponds and bubbling fountains are free to explore! The inside of the castle can be visited for €8.
How to Reach Miramare:
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31 Comments
viktoriap
December 10, 2015 at 7:49 pmWow! This place looks stunning! And I love that if I went, it won’t be overcrowded with tourists!
Ishita
December 10, 2015 at 9:12 pmThank you, it won’t be. I hope you can soon
Diana Lynn
December 8, 2015 at 8:26 pmAwwww….what a great post….yes…poor Maximilian….and Carlotta…you know I also spent some time at Max’s other castle in Mexico: Chapultepec. That one was fab too. Still….poor him.
Ishita
December 9, 2015 at 10:38 amHaha yea poor him!
Martin D. Redmond
December 8, 2015 at 8:19 amCastello di Miamare looks very charming Ishita! Thanks for sharing…
Ishita
December 8, 2015 at 10:11 amThank you Martin!
priyankamahajan26
December 7, 2015 at 4:25 pmLovely post.
Ishita
December 7, 2015 at 5:29 pmThanks PM 🙂
Tanja
December 7, 2015 at 2:12 pmnice post!:)
Ishita
December 7, 2015 at 2:31 pmThanks Tanja 🙂
Debra Kolkka
December 7, 2015 at 1:18 pm… another gorgeous place to visit.
Ishita
December 7, 2015 at 2:30 pmThanks Debra. You must soon.
TheWiningHour
December 6, 2015 at 8:50 pmYour photos provided a great virtual visit. Thanks for sharing!
Ishita
December 7, 2015 at 10:36 amThanks for stopping by, so glad you enjoyed 🙂
Coral Waight
December 6, 2015 at 11:59 amBeautiful spot for a castle, right by the water.
Ishita
December 7, 2015 at 10:37 amJust perfect Coral, isn’t it 🙂
ravenhawks magazine
December 6, 2015 at 6:37 amReblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
awesome pictures
Ishita
December 7, 2015 at 10:37 amGrazie!
milenaz2014
December 6, 2015 at 12:24 amI very much enjoy reading your blog. I also have a blog about Trieste and FVG – dreamtriesteitaly.com. I would be very happy if you could include my blog in your list of interesting things to read about FVG.
Ishita
December 7, 2015 at 10:37 amThank you, just hopping onto check yours 🙂 Anything Friulian attracts me 😉
Ishita
December 7, 2015 at 10:39 amLove your blog!! 🙂 Super cool. Il include it in my next post on Trieste. Thanks for commenting
kimberlysullivan
December 5, 2015 at 11:16 pmOoh, like this food, wine,travel group. Great idea! And love Trieste, too. Pretty city!
Ishita
December 7, 2015 at 10:37 amThanks Kimberly 🙂
lindaravello
December 5, 2015 at 9:47 pmLet’s keep it a secret…..
Ishita
December 5, 2015 at 10:31 pmIl try 😉
lindaravello
December 5, 2015 at 8:35 pmThis place looks stunning and full of atmosphere, and what a location, this is definitely going on my list to visit in the very near future – thank you so much as I had never heard of this place – tragic and romantic…
Ishita
December 5, 2015 at 9:41 pmThanks Linda. I know you will love it. It is that “must visit” site that hasn’t been advertised enough.
Vino Travels (@VinoTravels21)
December 5, 2015 at 8:14 pmIt’s so beautifully situated and well kept. One day I’ll get there. Good thing you didn’t stay overnight. Hopefully no one does ; )
Ishita
December 5, 2015 at 9:40 pmI love the maintained gardens and castle too .. In fact lot of work was going on in one of the sides of the garden.
foodwineclick
December 5, 2015 at 7:25 pmWhat a nice tour of the castle, I’m glad you didn’t stay overnight!
Ishita
December 5, 2015 at 9:40 pmHa-ha, thanks Jeff. The castle isn’t thankfully open for stay now 😉