I return to the events of my life a year ago, to tell you about a snow-white, magnificent castle that strikes the eye with its grandeur. We visited this place on our way from Florence to Split, heading to HiveFest. It was our very first journey across Europe in our own car. When choosing a city for an overnight stay, we stopped in Trieste. We had just one day to explore its sights, and that’s when we discovered the splendid castle perched on a cliff. This castle remained in our memory as a unique face of the city of Trieste, Italy. Its story is both sad and touching. I invite you to walk with me through this little corner of paradise and feel the spirit of the mystical Miramare Castle...
The name “Miramare” comes from Italian and literally means “look at the sea” or “sea view”. It reflects the castle’s stunning location overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
Located on the rocky promontory of Grado near the Gulf of Trieste We saw the castle from afar. It looked magnificent against the backdrop of the sea, which was crashing its waves into the orange sand, as if telling us a sad story of people who wanted to enjoy their love here, but life turned out differently! We stopped to enjoy the views. A high stone wall protects the castle from the sea, this picture against the blue background of distant mountains fills the soul with anticipation of the secrets of the past...
In front of the entrance to Miramare Castle, on the main gate, there is a coat of arms. This is the coat of arms of the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian Habsburg, who built the castle in the middle of the 19th century. It was supposed to be a luxurious residence for the emperor and his wife, the Belgian Princess Charlotte. But the lovers did not manage to enjoy their happy life here for long. The story is tragic: Maximilian died in Mexico, and his wife supposedly became seriously ill after this heavy loss. There is a legend: the castle brings misfortune to those who lived in it... I read this story after visiting the castle. But I will say: I had only bright and beautiful feelings of light energy, walking around this luxurious residence.
My daughters and I stopped on the terrace above the sea to enjoy the feeling of luxury that this majestic building above the Adriatic evoked. The bright orange vases placed on the terraces and near the entrance attract special attention. Their bright color contrasts with the whiteness of the stone and enlivens the strict monumentality of the building, giving it cheerful sunny notes. The mosaic that decorates the fence adds sophisticated patterns that create a sense of the unique style of each detail.
The combination of columns, arches, lamps, bright decorative elements makes Miramare a real work of art. This is not just a building, but an aesthetic symbol of greatness. Being here, I really imagined the leisurely majestic life of people of past centuries who had this beautiful but harsh fate...
The grandeur of Miramare Castle is breathtaking even from a distance, but its true charm is felt up close. We stopped here to take photos. The sea breeze ruffled our hair, and my daughters, walking along its elegant colonnades, felt like they were transported back to the Romantic era.
After walking around the castle, even more beautiful things opened up before our eyes! We went down the stairs, which were created in the same luxurious style, with mosaics and vases, covered with green climbing plants, which added to the exoticism and beauty of Miramore Castle.
Everything here is thought out so that the beauty of architecture is combined with the beauty of nature. From the main terraces of the castle, stone stairs smoothly descend to the sea, opening the way to a luxurious lawn. We lingered on the stairs, and got the best photos against the backdrop of the castle. Then we went for a walk to the sea. The lawn creates a feeling of space and the stairs add solemnity to this walk. We really felt majestic here!
On the wall at the foot of the stairs stands an elegant sculpture of a woman holding a jug. Her figure, dressed in delicate fabrics, is distinguished by grace and tenderness, reflecting the romantic spirit of Miramore Castle. She seems to welcome guests who come out onto the lawn, recalling the traditions of her ancestors. Her image emphasizes the symbolism of feminine beauty, so appropriate for the coast, where the waves constantly remind us of the ebb and flow of our lives, inviting us to reflect on eternity…
The wind brings us the smell of coniferous trees in a large park, and we head there, passing the facade of the house, where in front of the castle there is a beautiful green flowerbed with exotic red flowers.
Between the flower beds and green lawns are sculptures. A child with a swan. A female warrior on horseback fighting a predator!
There are cozy red benches where you can sit and enjoy the pine scent and beauty of the park. But Daryna likes to sit on the pine😊
The Miramore Castle Park is a true work of landscape design art. There is a small lake in the depths of the park. The water is turquoise, calm, like a mirror, reflecting the sky and tree branches. Ducks glide on the surface, sometimes stopping near the shore or diving merrily. Their presence adds coziness and lively charm to the place. I walked slowly, enjoying the gentle warmth of early September.
There is a unique house by the lake. It is a small but extremely charming structure that seems to merge organically with the surrounding nature. Its tiled roof, shutters and carved balcony are painted in a rich red color, contrasting brightly with the soft green shades of the garden. This house is a real gem of the garden.
Walking among the ancient sculptures and enjoying relaxation in a cozy gazebo, I was grateful to the Lord for revealing to me this wonderful, unique creation of human hands, which harmonizes so beautifully with the surrounding nature and is a place of rest and happiness for travelers.
This wonderful walk was part of the third year of our #TheLongestTrip. I didn't have time to write a report post in March, but I’ll do it soon, because I enjoy reviewing all the events of the year in a single post. It’s so exciting to revisit everything quickly, bringing these places back to memory and rekindling the emotions in my soul! If you haven't read, you can see the events here:
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The first year of our #TheLongestTrip
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The second year of our #TheLongestTrip
Thank you to everyone who reads, comments and supports us🙏💕