Friesach is one of Carinthia’s oldest towns, with a medieval water moat that still functions, three castle ruins above the valley, and a living castle construction project where a new medieval castle is being built using exclusively medieval techniques and materials. The town received its charter in 1215 and served as an Archbishop of Salzburg residence through the 13th century. The experimental castle building project, ongoing since 2009, is the most unusual current attraction. About 30 minutes north of Klagenfurt by train or car; on the Vienna-Klagenfurt main railway line.
village
Friesach
Friesach has a medieval moat that still holds water, which alone makes it worth a detour in Carinthia. The town, one of the oldest by town charter in Austria (1215), sits in a narrow valley north of Klagenfurt with three castle ruins stacked above it on the surrounding ridges.