by InTrieste
After years of restoration and storm-related setbacks, one of Italy’s lesser-known coastal treasures is opening its doors once more. The Bagno Ducale, a small yet historically rich pavilion nestled in the Parco di Miramare, will welcome visitors starting May 9, offering a unique guided tour experience that weaves together imperial nostalgia, architectural beauty, and contemporary art.
The reopening is part of a special program organized by the Museo Storico del Castello di Miramare in collaboration with CoopCulture, which manages the museum’s visitor services. Tours will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11 a.m., showcasing a curated path through both the historic park and a selection of site-specific artworks installed as part of the ongoing Naturae exhibition.
Despite its name, the Bagno Ducale—located on the eastern edge of the museum’s pier—predates the brief stay of the Duke of Aosta at Miramare (1930–1937). Archival drawings suggest the building may have originated as far back as the late 19th century. Its location offers panoramic views of the Miramare Castle and the Gulf of Trieste—views once enjoyed by aristocratic leisure-seekers during an era when outdoor sports and sea air were privileges of the upper classes.
The guided walk is designed to be an immersive journey through both time and space. It begins outside the castle, with a stop at the striking Cavallo sculpture by Mimmo Paladino. From there, visitors proceed to the newly restored Bagno Ducale, followed by a pause at Towards You, a reflective piece by the duo Bianco-Valente in the lower parterre.
The route continues through the park’s Orangerie and greenhouses before arriving at the Castelletto, the oldest building in the Miramare complex. Once the original residence of Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium, the structure offers intimate views of both their personal legacy and the sea that surrounds it.
This fixed-route experience, available by group reservation, offers a fresh perspective on Miramare—not just as a symbol of imperial grandeur, but as a living cultural space where historical architecture meets modern artistic expression.
The reopening of the Bagno Ducale is more than a restoration; it is a reminder of the layered narratives found along Italy’s northern Adriatic coast—where past and present continue to inform each other in quiet, meaningful ways.
