Description of the attraction
The ruins of Leonstein Castle are located in the northwestern part of the Pertschach am Wörthersee resort. The hilltop fortress is partly dated to the 12th century. The outbuildings, which occupy an elongated rocky plateau, are formed around two courtyards. The castle is accessible from the north side. In the southern part of the fortress, there are the remains of a four-story Romanesque building intended for living. This is the oldest part of the castle. Along the northern wall of the fortress, you can see the ruins of a late Gothic building, built in the XIV-XV centuries. In the western courtyard in the southeastern corner are the remains of a former 15th century chapel.
For the first time in written documents, Leonstein Castle was mentioned in 1166. At that time it belonged to a certain Leonstener (in honor of him the castle got its name), and then successively to the gentlemen Erolzem and Pesher. In 1431 the brothers Thomas and Ludwig von Rothstein owned the fortress on a rock near Pertschach. At the end of the 17th century, Leonstein Castle was already in ruins. Since then, it has not been restored. You can climb to Leonstein Castle from the observation deck above the town of Perchach. The ruins are easy to find by looking at the signs. There is no security here, the entrance to the territory of the dilapidated fortress is free. There are few visitors to Leonstein Castle: mostly hikers, as climbing to the ruins requires serious preparation.
Despite the fact that Leonsteiner, the first owner of the castle, had no descendants, the fortress continued to be called by his name. Moreover, in 1550, another castle was built on the main road in Perchakh, which received the same name. Now it is a well-known hotel in the city.
