Guides
The Miramare and Trieste Coast Biosphere Reserve is a land rich in natural and cultural biodiversity, where a variety of environments provide suitable habitats for many species of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna. But the Reserve is also an extraordinary network of stories and trails that narrate ancient family traditions carefully preserved to this day. Here you will find a collection of map-guides designed to encourage visitors to engage directly with the vast natural, historical, architectural, and cultural heritage of the Biosphere Reserve: from the marine organisms of the Gulf of Trieste to the splendid avenues and gardens of the Historic Park of Miramare, and up along the trails of the Karst, where patches of woodland and sub-Mediterranean scrub peek out among the terraces planted with vines and olive trees. You can download the digital versions here, or pick up a printed copy at BioMa, the immersive museum of the Marine Area located in the former stables of Miramare Castle.
The Biosphere trail
An extraordinary map showcasing the over 3,000 hectares of the Biosphere Reserve, with a rich network of trails crisscrossing the Karst cliff — a landscape suspended between land and sea.
Three suggested routes and 46 “points of interest” offer brief descriptions, giving voice to the area’s rich natural and historical-cultural heritage, where humans and nature have interacted for centuries through conservation, traditional crafts, and sustainable development.
Bird Guide
More than 150 bird species have been recorded in the MaB Reserve, including 109 across the Protected Marine Area and the Historic Park of Miramare.
This guide illustrates and briefly describes 72 species, including 52 nesting ones. You will find the most representative species of various habitats: the sea and coast, urban areas, forests (including edges and cultivated land with trees), pine forests and gardens, coastal cliffs, and the Karst heathland.
Tree and Shrub Guide
The diversity of rock formations and the variety of microclimates allow for the coexistence of rather unique plant associations.
This guide presents 32 species of trees and shrubs, chosen to represent the high biodiversity of terrestrial habitats in the Miramare and Trieste Coast Biosphere — from Mediterranean scrub to Illyrian vegetation, from Karst woodland to planted pine forests.
Marine Organism Guide
With 94 detailed illustrations of marine flora and fauna species, this guide offers a true dive into the rich marine biodiversity of the Gulf of Trieste.
A brief description of the morphological characteristics of various species provides visitors with a useful tool for recognizing and identifying the most commonly spotted organisms in Miramare and along the Trieste coast, navigating the diverse habitats from the shoreline to the open sea.
Miramare Park Guide
When Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg fell in love with the rugged, cliff-top Miramare promontory, he already envisioned it surrounded by a lush garden — part experimental reforestation station for local and exotic botanical species, part romantic landscape garden arranged with paths and flower beds.
The result of this dream is the Historic Park, now open to all visitors. With the two map-guides — one focused on nature, the other on history and art — you can discover its secrets and curiosities, even in its lesser-known corners.
Protected Marine Area of Miramare Guide
A guide to discovering the rich biodiversity of habitats and marine species found in Italy’s first-ever marine protected area, managed by WWF Italy and committed to nature conservation, research, education, and scientific outreach.
To experience this extraordinary marine life, don’t miss a visit to the Marine Biodiversity Museum (BioMa) and find out what activities you can enjoy — both above and below the sea — with the WWF team.
