One of the most famous guests of the Castello di Duino, which is still inhabited today, was Rainer Maria Rilke, who stayed here several times from 1910, finding the inspiration for his Duino Elegies. The castle was also occupied by the Germans during the Second World War; here, they dug out a 400m2 room, 18m below ground, in order to defend their base in Sistiana. Visitors can also admire the Scala Palladio, a splendid spiral staircase. From Duino to Sistiana, a path skirting the cliff edge boasts superb views.