Until the mid 19th century, the promontory of Grignano situated about 15 km from Trieste, was bleak and barren. In 1855, Maximilian, Archduke of Austria decided to build a residence here overlooking the sea and entrusted the project to Carl Junker who designed the Castle, the Castelletto (Small Castle) and the stables, and set them in the splendid framework of a large Italian garden (22 hectares). The Castle has an eclectic style, which harmoniously merges Gothic, Medieval and Renaissance elements, in conformity with the architectural trend of the era. Maximilian lived there with his wife, Charlotte of Belgium, until 1864, when, appointed Emperor of Mexico, he left to meet with his tragic destiny. Miramare Castle is still a symbol of the town. A perfect synthesis between nature and art, it is now a museum with the original furnishings by the artisans, Franz and Julius Hofmann. The ground floor is intimate and contained the Archduke’s private lodgings, whilst the splendid reception areas with their lush upholstery, carpets and imperial stems are situated on the first floor. The luxuriant park, decorated with sculptures and rich in precious botanical species, hosts the WWF centre that manages the Miramare Natural Marine Reserve. The Stables, now an exhibition area, and the Small Castle, inhabited by the Dukes of Savoy-Aosta in the 1930s, are situated just outside the park entrance.