Information AboutMiramare |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT MIRAMARE | |
| castles in italy | |
| 1860 architecture | |
| trieste | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
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The extensive park (22 hectares) is located on the seashore and was designed by the Archduke. The cliff it was built on, which had no vegetation whatsoever at the time, was cultivated with numerous tropical species of trees and plants The Royal couple, who then divided their time between the duties of the court and their private lives but were soon to accept the benefits and burdens of the Mexican Crown , spent a happy period here at the Austrian Riviera . It was here, with the visit of a delegation from Mexico , that definite plans were laid for the adventure that led to their undoing, a fate so tragic that a veil of romantic sadness was drawn over the Castle itself. The Castle, now a Museum run by the Cultural Heritage Office, affords a panoramic view of the Bay Of Grignano and the Adriatic beyond from atop a rock promontory. It is surrounded by an Italian-style garden, with flora (including rare species) from all over the world. There is also a marine park. Visitors to the castle will be able to see the following: Maximilian's chambers and those of his consort, Carlota of Belgium; the guest rooms; the information room telling the history of the Castle and the Park's construction; the Duke Amadeo of Aosta's apartment with furnishings from the 1930's in the Rationalist style. All the rooms still feature the original furnishings, ornaments, furniture and objects dating back to the middle of the 19th century. Particularly noteworthy are the music room where Carlota used to play the fortepiano, now on show in room VII. In room XIX there are a series of paintings by Cesare dell'Acqua depicting the history of Miramare. Lastly, visitors may visit the throne room, which was recently restored and brought back to its former splendour. Features of particular attraction in the gardens include two ponds, one noted for its swans and the other for lotus flowers, the Castle annexe (“Castelletto”), a nearby a bronze statue of Maximilian, and a small chapel in which is kept a cross made from the remains of the “Novara”, the flagship on which Maximilian, brother of Emperor Franz Josef, set sail to become Emperor of Mexico. The park offers the public a chance for an interesting stroll among botanical species and an important collection of sculptures dotted along its numerous paths. A visit should also be paid to the Stables, a building which was recently restored and is now used for temporary exhibitions; the Old Greenhouses and the Little Castle, with its original decoration on the first floor, are also well worth a visit. The Castle's park is shared with two of the many scientific facilities of the city, i.e. the International Centre for Theoretical Physics ICTP "Abdus Salam" and International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) . A nice history of the events which leaded to this situation can be found in the biography of the centre co-founder Paolo Budinich, "L'arcipelago delle meraviglie" (Di Renzo Editore, Italian version only AFAIK). EXTERNAL LINKS |