PRINCESS VERONIQUE DELLA TORRE E TASSO MEETS WITH JANTIENA FIEYRA AT THE CASTELLO DI DUINO IN TRIESTE, ITALY!
Jantiena Fieyra is the host of the popular new travel-lifestyle magazine TV program where she travels the world “…to bring Europe to the USA and the USA to Europe.”
In this TV program Jantiena Fieyra takes her audience to the northern coastal town of Trieste, Italy where she has an interview with Professor Harry Richardson, local historian, and then meets with the lovely Princess Veronique della Torre e Tasso, of the Castello di Duino, (Castle of Duino) who gives Jantiena and her audience a personal interview and tour.
Along the beautiful coast of Trieste, Italy, on the edge of the blue-green waters of the Adriatic Sea, lies the Castle of Duino, locally referred to as Castello di Duino, the private residence of the Princes della Torre e Tasso (von Thurn and Taxis).
In 1986 when Prince Raimondo passed away, his son, Prince Carlo Alessandro (born in 1952) set up home in the Castle with his family: his wife Veronique Lantz, sons Dimitri and Massimiliano and daughter Costanza. The Castle has for centuries been a cultural and humanistic centre and Prince Carlo Alessandro has continued and strengthened that tradition – and also opened the Castle to the public for visits and events.
The Castle and surrounding area is extremely rich in culture in history such as the early Roman battles fought here, Attila the Hun having made camp here, and it is here that Pagano II is said to have taken his steed and run over his sons in a fit of anger and then there was Dante Alighieri who visited the Castle and was so inspired that he composed a triplet for the Divine Comedy that was dedicated to the Castle.
Through the centuries the Castle has had many renowned guests such as Elizabeth of Austria (Sissi), the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the hermetic poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who composed the first two of the famous Duino Elegies while staying at the Castle and in more recent times prestigious figures and notables such as Prince Charles have been guests and stayed at the Castle.
The castle today is beautifully restored in every detail and is well worth every traveler’s visit.
The Castle itself originated from an ancient Roman watchtower over 2,000 years ago – and it was from around this tower that the construction of the present-day castle had begun in the 14th century.
Situated high amid the towering limestone cliffs that have provided an excellent view of the coastline and thus an early warning of approaching hostile vessels, the Castle of Duino has since her beginning been referred to as the “Dama Bianca” or “White Lady”.
Jantiena interviews local historian Professor Harry Richardson who tells Jantiena about the history of the area and the castle – and about legends!
And as is true with most castles, the Castle of Duino most certainly has its own legends. The most popular legend being that of the Lady-of-the-Castle, Esterina da Portole, known as the “White Lady” which derives from the original version of the castle first built on a rugged promontory nearby.
As the legend tells it, in a fit of fury, the “White Lady” was thrown by her husband into the sea from the garden cliffs above. Upon entering the sea, Esterine da Portole was forever turned into a white rock.
However, each night still to this day, it is said that the ghost of the “White Lady” visits the bedroom of her beloved daughter where she remains until dawn.
The Castle of Duino, with all its elegant furnishings and collections from centuries past collected up and restored, the same warmth and elegance that it bestowed upon its occupants of yesteryear is still alive and aglow today.
And it is here in this beautiful setting that the lovely and gracious Princess Veronique della Torre e Tasso gives a personal tour and interview with Jantiena Fieyra; inviting peoples from every nation to come and visit the Castello di Duino and the panoramic city of Trieste, Italy!
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Jantiena visits with local historian Professor Harry Richardson to learn of the history of the Castle of Duino near the city of Trieste, Italy. And then, Jantiena receives a personal tour and interview with the Princess Veronique della Torre e Tasso.
The magnificent Castello Di Duino located on the Gulf of Trieste, Italy.
Jantiena Fieyra with lovely Princess Veronique della Torre e Tasso (von Thurn and Taxis) who gives Jantiena and her audience a tour of the Castle.
Professor Harry Richardson, local historian, gives Jantiena a very warm and entertaining briefing on the history of the Castle of Duino and its importance throughout the centuries. Behind them one can see the original ruins of the early castle.
Jantiena and Princess Veronique della Torre e Tasso taking a stroll through the royal gardens.
The Castle of Duino majestically perched atop the limestone cliffs along the Carso plateau on the Gulf of Trieste.
This is where Jantiena and the Princess Veronique della Torre e Tasso did their interview together. (Overlooking the wall on the left one sees the Gulf of Trieste and the original castle ruins.)
This is a view from the castle of the original castle ruins still preserved today.
This is the scene of one of the most famous legends of the Castle of Duino concerning the Lady of the Castle, Esterina da Portole, known as the White Lady. It is said she was thrown into the sea by her furious husband and was turned into a white rock of divine pity. Legend has it that the ghost of the lady visits the bedroom of her beloved daughter every night where she stays till dawn and then returns to her rock.
The rock is pictured above in the foreground.
The fully restored Green Room at the Castle of Duino.
The beautifully restored and appointed Dining Room at the Castle of Duino.
Thank you so much for such a beautiful video! I am planning to visit Trieste this July. I am looking forward to visiting Miramar and this castle. I am so glad I discovered your channel and this video. Thank you again!