„Thiergarten Cernizza, dem Graf von Thurn gehörig“
The former hunting grounds of the Counts of Thurn and Taxis form a walled forest characterized by ancient Mediterranean vegetation at the westernmost edge of the Karst, where the plateau descends toward the Adriatic Sea. While the coastline here is predominantly rocky, the seabed of the bay already turns sandy through the sedimentary influence of the nearby Isonzo and Grado lagoons. The waters are further shaped by freshwater currents emerging from the underground river Timavo.
The Cernizza / Črničje borders a residential area of Duino/Devin known for its remarkable modernist villas from the 1960s and 1970s. Although the forest landscape is subject to significant environmental protection, it remains exposed to continuous pressures of economization, privatization, and touristic development.
A consortium of five private individuals has acquired approximately one hectare of the Cernizza / Črničje, including one hundred meters of shoreline traditionally frequented by local inhabitants. The project seeks to develop non-destructive modes of convivient use shaped by the interests, practices, and sensibilities of the participants while remaining compatible with the continued presence and informal use of the site by the surrounding community.
Its objectives are to prevent speculative real-estate development and exclusive tourist occupation, and to establish publicly accessible basic infrastructure through a situated artistic and architectural intervention.