Travel - Castello di Duino: Two easy-to-reach coastal castles

  • Published
  • By Capt. Erick Saks
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
CASTELLO DI DUINO, Italy --  If you're looking to cross several items off your Italian to-do list in a one-day road trip, Castello di Duino may just be the destination you are seeking.
A little more than an hour from Aviano Air Base, the small town of Duino is home to two castles, an underground WWII bunker complex, and it offers spectacular views the Adriatic Sea.
Duino is relatively easy to reach, with the majority of the drive over spent on the Autostrade. There are signs for Castello di Duino when arriving in town, and parking is available along the roads outside of the main castle.
Visitors must start at the main entry to the castle. The clerks at the ticket counter speak a variety of languages, including Italian, German and English, so it is relatively easy to pay and get information about the castle. Entry to the main castle is 8 euro, and it costs an additional 2 euro to visit the old castle.
The clerks recommend first visiting the old castle, which is also known as The Rock. According to their website, the old castle requires reservations to visit; however, we did not call ahead and were able to purchase our admission ticket upon arrival. The visit to The Rock is well worth the money as it is only a short walk down the road and offers incredible views of the main castle, plus you get the opportunity to walk around and touch a structure which dates back to the 11th century.
The "new" castle - Castello di Duino - was erected in the 1300s on the ruins of a Roman military outpost. Approaching the structure, it's hard not to think "hey, this looks just like the outside of one of those Medieval-themed restaurants." The walls are enormous and the soaring towers with their perfectly-square cutouts are impressive. Additionally, the grounds surrounding the castle are immaculately kept and are said to host more than 21,000 flowers.
During your visit, you can learn about the castle's rich cultural history including its uses throughout the centuries and its numerous famous visitors, or you can choose to simply explore the grounds and admire the art and architecture. There are nearly 20 rooms in the castle which are open to visitors.
Tucked away on the side of the grounds is a bunker which was constructed during WWII for the German military to defend a nearby naval base against potential Allied attacks. Visitors can climb down the stairs to visit a man-made cavern which contains a small museum with displays from the war. The structure was tunneled into solid rock, and is quite a remarkable accomplishment.
Overall, one of the most significant aspects of the visit was the numerous spectacular photo opportunities so ensure you bring your camera if you choose to make this worthwhile journey.
Finally, there is a small gelato shop and an adjacent restaurant near the castle entry for those who want to get a bite to eat before making the journey home.
For more information about Castello di Duino, including ticket office hours, visit www.turismofvg.it/code/19668/Duino-Castle