Description of the attraction
Spittal an der Drau is an old Austrian city located on the banks of the Drava River in the western part of the federal state of Carinthia. It is the administrative center of the Spittal district.
The first documentary mention of the Spittal settlement dates back to 1191. Archbishop Adalbert's act refers to the construction of a hospital with a chapel next to the ancient road. Construction began on the orders of Otto II. Gradually, a village appeared around the hospital, which received market rights in 1242. In 1418, these territories were transferred to Count Herman Celje. In 1478, the local lands were devastated by the Turkish wars, and later were occupied by Hungarian troops and Emperor Frederick's longtime rival, King Matthias Corvin. A series of peasant uprisings and fires followed, and an oppressive atmosphere reigned in Spittal. The situation changed in 1524 when the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand I entrusted the local lands to his treasurer Gabriel von Salamanca. In 1533, Salamanca built his residence on the main square of Spittal - the Palazzo Portia, which is considered one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in Austria. The hospital was restored, as well as the Catholic parish church of the Annunciation of Mary, executed in the late Gothic style.
In 1797, Spittal was besieged by French troops, and in 1809 withdrew to the Illyrian French provinces in accordance with the Schönbrunn Treaty. Spittal returned to the Austrian Empire in 1815, after which its economic growth began, which was greatly facilitated by the emergence of a railway connection.
Today, the Portia Palace hosts a festival of theatrical comedies every year, and part of the palazzo is given over to the local history museum. In addition, the largest private model of the railway can be seen in Spittal. Spittal an der Drau himself is a member of the Association of Small Historic Cities.
5 km north-west of Spittal are the ruins of an early Christian church and a museum that houses a collection of coins and inscriptions from the times of the Celtic peoples and Romans.
