Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EASTERN CARINTHIA
Eastern Carinthia's prettiest medieval towns and most impressive castles lie north of Kla-
genfurt, on or close to Hwy 83 and the rail route between Klagenfurt and Bruck an der
Mur. There are mountain ranges on either side: the Seetaler Alpen and Saualpe to the east,
and the Gurktaler Alpen to the west.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Friesach
04268 / POP 5180
Once a key staging post on the Vienna- Venice trade route, Friesach is Carinthia's oldest
town. The hills on either side of town bristle with ruined fortifications, and the centre is
surrounded by a moat (it's the only town in Austria that still has one) and a set of impos-
ing, grey-stone walls. Once a year Friesach's gates are locked, everyone in town dresses
up in medieval costumes and Friesach re-enacts its history.
Sights
Medieval Fortifications & Churches
Friesach has four medieval fortress ruins ranged along the hills rising above Haupt-
platz to the west, all offering excellent views. The northernmost is
Burg Geyersberg
; the fur-
thest south are the
Virgilienberg
ruins. The middle two (
Rotturm
and
Petersberg
) are the most
easily visited from the centre. There are lovely views from
Peterskirche
( 11am-5pm Tue-Sun
May-Sep)
, accessible by paths ascending from the front of the Gothic
Stadtpfarrkirche
(
CHURCH, FORTRESS
dawn-
dusk)
, with Romanesque elements dating from 927.
All fortresses are connected by the Burgwanderweg that winds through the bucolic
landscape with views over town.
Festivals & Events
Spectaculum
MEDIEVAL
