Walking through
Friesach,
you feel as if you stepped back into the age of chivalry. This magical town
and its culture is determined not only by tradition and charm but also by a
lively present. There is always something going on: Knight-tournaments, wild
carousals and lavish parties like in the times of Richard the Lionhart or
Ulrich von Liechtenstein, whose names come to your mind thinking of the
medieval Friesach, take place at different historical places of the town
Strolling around in the
"Carinthian Rothenburg", what Friesach is also called, the
interesting history of this town and the region is reflected by all its
medieval sights: the imposing town wall with the only water-filled town moat
in the German-speaking countries, the four-story granary (14th/16th
century) and the mighty Royal Court (14th/ 17th
century), the "Rottürme", the castle "Geiersburg" (13th
century), the extensive castle-construction on the Petersberg (where the
open-air theatre "Burghofspiele" takes place") with the keep,
the castle "Lavant" and the "Peter`s Church" (12th/15th
century); the Provost-Dome St. Bartholomäus (12th century), the
Dominican Church (1255), the "Blutkirche" and the oldest
"German-order" monastery of the German-speaking countries (13th
century) picture the ancient history of the town
Celtic and Romance findings
prove the early settlement of the region. In the year of 860 "Ludwig the
German" donated the "Yard Friesah" to the Archbishop of
Salzburg Adalwin, and later in time the estates of the countess Hemma von Gurk
were added to this property
Friesach had its real time
of prosperity under the rule of Archbishop Eberhard II. from 120 to 1246. It
developed into the second-largest town of the archbishopric Salzburg and
became the most important town of Carinthia. At that time the enormous
fortifications ranging from the Virgilienberg to the Geiersberg were built, in
the middle of which the majestic Castle Petersberg is enthroned. In the
following years several orders settled down in Friesach and built their
churches and monasteries
Around 1130 the archbishops
minted the legendary "Friesacher Penny" for the first time which was
the first supraregional trade-coin for two centuries. At present, the visitor
is given the opportunity to mint his own Friesacher Penny applying the for the
Middle ages usual hammer-anvil-method
The so called "Friesacher
Cultural Summer" is one of the most important instances of Carinthia`s
cultural happenings. For almost five decades, the active amateur-play-group of
the "Friesacher Burghofspiele" has performed tragic and comic plays
of the classical world-literature, ranging from Shakespeare to Moliere and
Brecht. On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, two plays are
performanced this year.
Also the "Fairy tale-
Sundays" (Märchensonntage) and the Christmas-play in the town’s
performing-hall, concerts and international conferences, like the
"Academy Friesach", belong to the old-established theatre-tradition
of the town. There is also the opportunity to explore the town on his own
using the unique "walk-man-travel guide".
Friesach, a town that
maintains and cultivates traditions also knows how to celebrate rustling
parties. There are numerous festivities throughout the whole year, such as the
"Knight-style Dinner", the "Knight- Tournament" for the
kids or the "Historic Town-Party" that offer entertainment and
culinary delicacies for young and old
The stylish hotels,
guest-houses and restaurants ensure a romantic holiday and an unforgettable
stay in the unique ambience of Friesach, spoiling their guests with regional
and domestic delicacies. Additionally, Friesach has many leisure activities to
offer: over 100km long hiking paths, the romantic "Burgenwanderweg (path
along the castles), open-air swimming pools and tennis courts, a pit-pat
facility, riding-courts and the health resorts "Moorbad Althofen"
and "Wildbad Einöd", that are not far away from the town. There are
also many facilities for sporty people, such as beautiful bike-tracks,
exciting mountainbike-routes, hunting and fishing facilities, a gliding field
and idyllic riding-paths.
Today there is a modern
Exhibition in the Granary of the town: the "Virtual World Myths - The Sign
of the unicorn" - a museum in progress.
Come and visit the romantic,
historic town of Friesach, no matter which time of the year. The pearl of the
Middle Ages is without any doubt the jewel of Carinthia.
Infos und Anfragen:
Tourismusinformation Friesach
Hauptplatz 1 A-9360 Friesach
Tel.: +43-4268-4300, Fax: +43-4268/4280
Email: tourismusinformation@friesach.at
