Built by the knights of Leiben around 1113, the Leiben Castle had an eventful history and constantly changed hands. The 800-year-old castle towers high above the surrounding countryside on its mighty cliff. One of its highlight features is a unique 17th century wooden coffered ceiling, which depicts the Cycle of Planet Deities by Hendrik Goltzim from 1569.
In 1989 the municipality carefully restored the castle as a listed historical building and made it available to locals and visitors. The castle vaults contain an agricultural equipment museum with exhibit items from the first-ever generation of tractors and impressive moving trial models that were individually made. Open on Sundays and holidays from Easter Monday to the end of October. Group tours are available.
References:Duino Castle was built by the Wallsee family in 1389 on the cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Trieste. It replaced an older castle from the 11th century. Over time, the Wallsee family disappeared and the castle, after having been used as a prison, became the residence of the Luogar and Hofer.
At the end of the 19th century it became the property of Prince Alexander von Thurn und Taxis from the Czech branch of the House of Thurn and Taxis. It remains with the family to this day with his great-grandson Prince Carlo Alessandro della Torre e Tasso, Duke of Castel Duino the current owner. The castle has been opened to the public as a museum and park.