A famous portrait stands over the entrance to the museo di Santa Chiara in Gorizia. It shows a stern but familiar face that without too many formalities introduces the exhibition that will remain open until 10 June 2018: “Elisabeth of Austria, Woman, Empress, Traveller”.

The exhibitions offers the visitor a journey through the life of the most famous empress, amid portraits that show her alone or with her consort, Franz Josef, from the time of their wedding to later and more difficult moments. Dresses, photos, period books and prints remind us of the popularity of the young sovereign. The centrality of travel in the title of the exhibition is highlighted by a large number of paintings, engravings and lithographs of landscapes most familiar to Elisabeth. The oppressive  imperial court in Vienna from which she tried to get away, the green Hungarian plains she loved, the warm colours of the residence on Corfu, as well as the shores of Trieste and the castle of Miramare.

These views suggest a woman perhaps different to the one we are accustomed to. The image of the legend of Sissi is reduced, remodelled and returned through the moments of life of a girl who became a personality of prime importance at a very young age. Places are shown but also people, faces, meetings during the long itineraries that saw her as a protagonist.

The exhibition, organised by the municipality of Gorizia with the assistance of prestigious collaborators, is open Friday and Saturday: 10.00-13.00/15.30-19.00, Sunday: 10.30-13.00/15.30-19.30. There is a guided tour every Sunday at 16.30. For more info, click here.