Description of the attraction
Hochoshterwitz Castle is considered one of the most impressive medieval castles in Austria. Located on a cliff at an altitude of 160 meters near the town of St. Georgen in the federal state of Carinthia. On a clear day, the castle can be seen from a distance of 30 kilometers.
The first documentary mention of the castle dates back to 860. At that time, the castle bore the Slovenian name "Astorwitz". In the 11th century, Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg ceded the castle to the noble Sponheim family in exchange for their support in solving important problems. And Sponheim gave the land to the Osterwitz family in 1209.
In the 15th century, the last of the Osterwitz family was captured during the Turkish invasion and died in prison in 1476, leaving no offspring. Thus, after four centuries, on May 30, 1478, the castle returned to the possession of the Habsburgs, to the Emperor Frederick III. Over the next thirty years, the castle suffered greatly from numerous Turkish campaigns. On October 5, 1509, Emperor Maximilian I handed over the castle as Bishop Gurk.
In 1541, King Ferdinand I granted the castle to the governor of Carinthia, Christopher Kevenhüller. In 1571, Baron Georg Kevenhüller acquired the fortress. He fortified it, fearing a Turkish invasion, created an arsenal and 14 gates. Such massive fortifications are considered unique in the construction of citadels. Legend has it that the castle was never conquered.
Since the 16th century, no major changes have been made to the fortification of the castle.
Parts of the castle are open to visitors every year from Easter to the end of October. Tourists walk 620 meters through 14 gates to the castle itself. There is a museum in the castle.
