Description
Leaving the bay of Sistiana, we can enjoy the view of the cliffs that rise almost vertically to a height of about 80 metres. Near the start of the cliffs, one cannot miss the unmistakable “Devil’s Eye”, the exit point of a tunnel dug during the Second World War, accessible from Sistiana via a path (recently closed because of a rule forbidding diving). The area of sea in front of the cliffs is protected by rules to safeguard the nature reserve: up to 60 metres from the coast, only rowed vessels and swimmers may transit; whilst transit at a distance of 400 metres is possible only for vessels authorised by the municipality of Duino-Aurisina. The area will be delimited by an identification of zones a, b and c; a careful reading of the regulations on the Municipality's website is recommended. Following the shoreline, we arrive at an area that recalls the Dalmatian coast, comprising two little inlets separated by a rock called “Dante’s stone”, and overlooked by the remains of the old castle of Duino, with a rock beneath that vaguely recalls the shape of a “white lady” (the “dama bianca” or “lepa vida” for the Slovenes), recalling the legend of a chatelaine of olden times who allegedly threw herself off the clifftop (or was thrown by a cruel husband).
Places of interest
In past centuries brazzere and trabaccoli would called here with loads of salt which, after being stored in a large storehouse, would be...
This is one of the most picturesque spots in the Gulf of Trieste and of the whole Adriatic, overlooking the sea on the karst cliff. Its fame is...
The reserve was created with Regional Law no 42 on 30 September 1996. It comprises a high and steep limestone cliff, a narrow strip of karst...
Fish
The grey mullet is a member of the family Mugilidae, which includes some eighty species of fresh- and salt-water fish. The grey mullet is...
The gilt-head bream is a bony member of the family Sparidae and can be found in the sea and in brackish coastal waters. The name comes from the...
The white seabream is the most common type of seabream in the Mediteranean and can be found on both sandy and rocky bottoms. It has a high, laterally...
The sole is a flatfish with an oval and extremely compressed body. The head is small with a rounded face and small, arched mouth positioned...
Vegetation
Frequent in the sea and in lagoons, and like dwarf eelgrass forms extensive fields which are very important for fish and waterfowl.
A halophyte (salt-tolerant) species not present in salt marshes but on rocky coasts and harbour works such as jetties and embankments, even in...
A species of evergreen oak, it is the main constituent of the Mediterranean maquis and locally can be found between the Timavo river and Miramare...
It appears in cultivated woods of pine and has spread widely in natural fashion on the Karst plateau, and is present also in the coastal pine...
Traditions
When the temperature of the water in the Gulf reaches 18-20° in late spring and early summer, fishermen begin to capture anchovies with lamps...
These are a typical feature of the local countryside in the Carso and Gorizia region, whereby farmers can offer their wine, ham and cheeses...
Habitats
The Carso is a long plateau facing SE-NW, sloping slightly downwards towards the west. The eastern part reaches about 400 metres in height, while...
Planting of the artificial Austrian pinewoods first began in 1842 and now constitute an important feature of the Carso’s landscape; thanks...
The special microclimate characterising the coast near Trieste depends from the white limestone cliffs that reflect sunlight, the warming effect...
Birds
19-21 cm, sexes similar. There is a grey variety and a rufous one. It is a small owl with ear tufts and a characteristic and insistent song. Present...
37-43 cm, sexes similar, light grey upperparts, white in the lower parts, with a black cap and a tuft on the head, the beak black with light-coloured...
30-35 cm, sexes similar. Dark above and white lower parts. Aggregates in flocks offshore from spring to autumn; it does not nest here and its...
10.5-12 cm - sexes similar. Evident brown grey tuft. Present throughout the year in the pine forests of the Carso, including the cliffs of Duino and...
10-11.5 cm, sexes similar. A small tit with characteristic white patch on the nape. Present all year, it nests in the pinewoods of the Carso and...
38-43 cm sexes similar, grey with white wing bands. Present throughout the year, it commonly nests in the groves of the lagoon islands and in...
77-94 cm, sexes similar. Like pelicans and boobies, they have the 4 fingers joined by a membrane to facilitate swimming. The species is present...
60-70 cm, the male with black and white plumage. A permanent population lives between the mouth of the Isonzo and that of the Timavo. Some pairs have...
38-45 cm, sexes similar. Uppers grey-brown in juveniles, white underparts barred, pointed wings and fast flight. Present throughout the year, it...
35-39 cm, sexes similar. In February, it gains the dark brown cap for the breeding season, which it then loses in July-August. Present throughout the...
37-40 cm, sexes similar. Compared to the black-headed gull, the beak is more massive and coral-red, it has a black head – during nesting – and...
52-58 cm, sexes similar. Grey upperparts, white lower parts. Present throughout the year and abundant, nesting in the lagoon, on the roofs of houses...
40-46 cm, sexes similar. It is smaller than the black-headed gull. Present from November to April, numerous in some winters, it frequents the sea,...
50-60 cm. With marked dimorphism, this is the ancestor of the domestic duck. Present throughout the year, it is very adaptable, frequenting both...
31-37 cm, the male with a grey head and tail, rufous upperparts, the female with rufous barred tail. Present throughout the year, it nests in the...
68-78 cm, sexes similar. It has a short tuft that appears in adults in winter and early spring. Present throughout the year, it becomes rare in...
17-19 cm, sexes similar. Blue upperparts, red underparts with large, dark beak dark and very short tail, which in flight makes it resemble a...
13-14 cm, male with black head and red eye, the female brown with grey head. Present throughout the year, it nests in warm coastal scrubland between...
21-23 cm, the male is blue with blackish wings while the female is brown. Present throughout the year, it is a rare winter visitor. It nests on the...
18 to 20.5 cm light brown uppers. white on the lower parts. The wings have a narrow light-coloured bar and are often blocked briefly in flight....
48-56 cm, sexes similar, plumage varies widely, generally brown with light patches. Present all year round, most numerous even in the largest lagoon...
17-21 cm, sexes similar. Black upperparts, red throat and whitish belly. Present from March to April and from September to October, it nests in rural...
20-23 cm, sexes similar. Unlike the blackish common swift, Apus apus, the greater is brown above with white belly and throat. Present from April to...
52-58 cm, the male with dark green head and white neck, the female with reddish head. Present during wintering, it is frequent during the spring...
34-37 cm, sexes similar. Light grey upperparts and white underparts, with black cap and red beak. It is the classic tern, frequent from April to...
63-75 cm, sexes similar. In winter the plumage is dark grey above, whitish underneath; the beak is more massive and held flat compared to the...
55-67 cm, sexes similar. In winter, the plumage is grey, and whitish underneath. Present in winter at sea and in the deepest areas of the lagoons....
24-28 cm, sexes similar. Well-camouflaged, recalling a carpet of dead leaves. Of crepuscular and nocturnal habits, it can be observed in flight while...
85-97 cm, sexes similar, the adults being black and white and juveniles all black: this is the largest seabird normally observed in the...
46-51 cm, sexes similar. Grey upper part, whitish beneath, while in its nuptial plumage it reveals obvious tufts on the head and below the eyes....
28-34 cm, sexes similar. Grey and off-white in winter, in March it has a black neck and a yellow tuft behind a red eye. Present from August to April,...
29-33 cm, sexes similar. Plumage light beige with black collar. Present all year round, often associated with human settlements in cities, towns and...
25-29 cm, sexes similar, orange plumage striped with black, erectile crest on the head, flickering flight. Present from April to September and fairly...
