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Historic town square featuring a large stone fountain surrounded by colorful buildings and tourists with mountains in the sky

A trip to Carinthia’s oldest town

Medieval charm in Friesach, Carinthia

Friesach in Austria is the oldest town in Carinthia and a popular destination for a day trip. The townscape is still characterised today by well-preserved medieval buildings. The town fortifications are particularly famous, featuring the only water-filled moat in the province. The town once lay on an important trade route between Vienna and Venice and was a significant religious centre. Magnificent churches and ancient fortifications bear witness to this glorious era under the Archbishops of Salzburg.

Panoramic view of a town surrounded by mountains featuring historic and modern architecture
A breathtaking blend of historic buildings and modern structures set against majestic mountains.

The rich variety of historical sights in Friesach

A stroll through the narrow streets reveals architectural treasures such as the Fürstenhof, a monumental 13th-century building that now serves as an administrative centre and registry office. Friesach’sparish church, the largest basilica in Carinthia, impresses with its cathedral-like acoustics and Romanesque details such as the 12th-century baptismal font. Those seeking tranquillity will find, in the Dominican Church – the longest church in the province – significant works of art such as the Friesach Sandstone Madonna. The Town Museum on Petersberg offers further historical insight with collections of the famous Friesach silver pennies, which served as a means of payment across the region for centuries.

Craftsmanship and tradition at the foot of the castle in Friesach

A special experience awaits you at the Friesach Castle construction site. A new complex is being built on a hill to the south, using only medieval craft techniques. Here, visitors can watch blacksmiths, stonemasons and carpenters at work with wood and stone in the traditional way. In addition, the Wax Museum in the historic granary invites you to discover the art of gingerbread bakers and wax workers, whilst in summer the Friesach Castle Courtyard Theatre on the Petersberg attracts visitors with open-air theatre performances.

A person walks a trail leading to castle ruins surrounded by greenery and trees.
Stroll along the scenic path towards historic castle ruins, embraced by lush nature.

Places to stop for a bite to eat in Friesach

After exploring the fortress walls, a visit to the Craigher confectionery is highly recommended. This family-run chocolate workshop is renowned far beyond the region for its handcrafted creations. Here, traditional coffee-house culture blends with modern craftsmanship. Anyone returning from a trip to the historic town to the peaceful seclusion of Pichlschloss will take home memories of a living history.

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A large residential building surrounded by trees and green spaces, with a gravel path in front of it.

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