Hochosterwitz Castle

The settlement on the top of this dolomite rock that is 160 meters high, was known since the IX century, even before the Austria itself. This small fortress belonged to the family of the Osterwitz, subjects of the Slavic Duchy of Karantaniya, that is the state Carinthia at the south of Austria today.

In the XIII century the family line of the Osterwitz was interrupted and the castle became the property of the duke of Carinthia. In the XVI century the Hochosterwitz Castle was bought by George fon Khevenhuller, the governor of Carinthia. And the castle still belongs to his descendants.

The governor George fon Khevenhuller was so afraid of the Turks attack, that he strongly fortified the castle with the walls and fourteen sequential gates on the way to the top. Due to such fortifications no one could capture the Hochosterwitz Castle and it preserved its historical view to our days.

Tourists can reach the Hochosterwitz Castle by going up along the old walls and through all the fourteen gates. But later a funicular was built to make the way a lot easier.

Inside the walls of Hochosterwitz Castle there is a church, a chapel of the Khevenhullers, a cafe, and some buildings for the servants and household keeping. Some of the rooms in the castle are available for visiting. There is a museum of ancient armors and weapons.