Location: Carinthia Map
Burg Groppenstein, also known as Groppenstein Castle, is a medieval hilltop fortress located in the municipality of Obervellach in the Spittal an der Drau District of Carinthia, Austria. Perched on a rocky ridge at an elevation that overlooks the Mölltal valley and marks the entrance to the dramatic Groppensteinschlucht (Groppenstein Gorge), where the Mallnitzbach stream meets the Möll River, the castle's strategic position has historically served both defensive and administrative purposes. Its coordinates are 46°56′30″N 13°10′56″E. First documented in 1254 as a tower castle, it evolved into a late medieval fortification and has remained remarkably well-preserved due to continuous habitation and restorations, distinguishing it from many ruined counterparts in the region. Today, under private ownership, it exemplifies Carinthian feudal architecture, blending Romanesque and Gothic elements, and stands as a testament to the area's noble history tied to the Counts of Görz and Habsburg influences. The castle's name derives from the Old High German personal name "Groppo," and it has never been destroyed by fire or war, making it one of the best-maintained medieval structures in Austria.
The history of Burg Groppenstein spans over seven centuries,
reflecting shifts in ownership, expansions for defense, and adaptations
as a residence amid Carinthia's turbulent feudal landscape.
The
castle's origins trace to the 13th century, with its first documented
mention in 1254 as "turris de Cropensteine" (Tower of Groppenstein) in a
deed where Salzburg Archbishop Philipp enfeoffed his archer Heinrich
Swärhaupt with nearby properties. A witness, Pabo de Cropensteine, was a
ministerial of the Counts of Ortenburg, suggesting the tower may predate
this record. Initially a simple residential and defensive tower, likely
surrounded by a wall leveraging the natural terrain, it secured an
important packhorse trail from the Mölltal over the Tauern mountains to
the Gasteinertal. By the late 13th or early 14th century, ownership
shifted to the Counts of Görz (Gorizia), with Friedrich von Groppenstein
serving as court scribe to Count Albrecht of Görz-Tirol in 1324. The
Groppenstein family, vassals of the Salzburg
Archbishops and later the Görz counts, acted as high officials—
notaries, toll collectors, and castellans—expanding their holdings
across the Mölltal, East Tyrol, and Pustertal through purchases and a
1333 fiefdom letter rewarding their service.
In 1342, the site was
referred to as a "feste" (fortress), indicating expansion beyond a mere
tower, with Konrad der Gröppler as caretaker and his son Jörg adopting
the von Groppenstein name. The family peaked in the 14th and 15th
centuries but declined economically by the early 15th century, with
Erasmus von Groppenstein selling lands. Following the Peace of
Pusarnitz, the Counts of Görz ceded Mölltal properties to Emperor
Friedrich III, making Groppenstein a Habsburg fief. Upon Conrad III von
Groppenstein's death in 1464 without male heirs, his daughter
Veronika—the last of the line—married Wilhelm Graf von Schernperg. After
her death in 1486, the property passed to her three sons, leading to
fragmentation. In 1506, Emperor Maximilian I enfeoffed Christoph Graf
von Schernberg with the castle, who defended Radstadt against peasants
and later managed Goldegg under Archbishop Matthäus Lang.
By around
1588, ownership transferred to Bartholomäus Khevenhüller and Friedrich
von Hollenegg through marriage ties to the Schernperg family. The
Khevenhüllers sold it in 1612 to Adam Jakob von Lind, followed by owners
like Christoph Meyer and Christof Unger. From 1693 to 1870, the
Freiherren von Sternbach held it, amassing wealth from Tyrolean copper
mines but selling lands due to financial strain, managing it alongside
Oberfalkenstein and reducing its prominence. By 1835, the castle
deteriorated, with storm damage altering its Gothic hipped roof.
A
turning point came in 1872 when Viennese architect and preservationist
Adolf Stipperger acquired and restored the neglected structure in a
romanticizing Romanesque style, saving it from decay and giving it its
current appearance. He rebuilt interiors, added a "Rittersaal" (Knights
Hall) with a red marble fireplace, and commissioned stained glass
depicting owners' coats of arms (now lost). Financial pressures led to
its sale in 1884 to Reichsfreiherr von Craigher, then his daughter Karla
Unterrichter. From 1929 to 1944, Viennese physician Prof. Franz Chvostek
owned it, using it as a holiday home for his fraternity and adding glass
paintings. Continuous restorations since 1968 have included re-roofing
the keep. As of 2025, it remains in private hands, owned by Robert
Schöbel.
Burg Groppenstein's architecture reflects its evolution from a
13th-century tower to a late medieval fortress, with significant
19th-century restorations blending historical elements with romantic
ideals.
The castle is a three-storey complex primarily from the 15th
century, built on a precipitous rock outcrop falling steeply on three
sides. The core is a massive, five-storey Romanesque bergfried (keep
tower), 23 meters high, dating to the original construction. It features
a watch room under the roof and a former wooden walkway for defense.
Connected to the Gothic palas (residential hall) via a second-storey
wooden bridge (now Holzbrücke), the bergfried served administrative,
residential, and defensive roles. The palas, rebuilt around 1470–1480 by
Jakob Gröppel von Groppenstein, was restored in 1870 with neo-Romanesque
additions like chimneys, a crenellated gable, and large windows; a
mid-16th-century coat of arms of the Grafen von Schernperg adorns it.
The courtyard is enclosed by the bergfried, palas, and a crenellated
ring wall, with late medieval weirs, towers, and battlement walls added
during the 15th-century expansion. The three-storey gate tower (Torturm)
and defensive walls were renewed in the 19th century. Access crosses a
western moat via a modern concrete bridge replacing the original
drawbridge. Interior spaces retain late Gothic details, with the
Romanesque wing replaced by Gothic dwellings. Two western towers are
more recent additions, and economic buildings from the 14th–15th
centuries complete the layout. The overall design emphasizes
impregnability, with massive walls and strategic positioning.
Bergfried (Keep Tower): The 13th-century centerpiece, 23 meters tall,
with preserved Romanesque elements and a connecting bridge to the palas.
Rittersaal (Knights Hall): In the palas' second floor, featuring a red
marble fireplace from the 1870s and 16th-century stained glass windows;
additional glass paintings were added by Franz Chvostek in the
1930s–1940s.
Burgkapelle hl. Katharina (Castle Chapel of St.
Catherine): A standalone Gothic chapel with a semi-circular Romanesque
apse, consecrated to St. Katharina, located midway on the old ascent
path.
Ringmauer and Torturm: Crenellated walls and gate tower,
restored in the 19th century, enhancing the fortress's romantic
silhouette.
Coats of Arms and Artifacts: 16th-century Schernperg
wappen on the palas; historical stained glass (some lost) depicting
owners.
As of August 22, 2025, Burg Groppenstein is privately owned and not
regularly open to the public for interior tours, though it can be viewed
from the exterior. Visitor reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor rate it
4.0 out of 5 based on limited feedback, describing it as a "romantic
castle" but noting past reconstruction limiting access to outside views.
One recent review (July 2025) praises it as a "beautiful place" with
historical ties, but details like a bird of prey show may refer to
nearby sites, suggesting some confusion in listings. No official opening
hours or admission fees are listed for the castle itself; it appears
inaccessible internally without special permission from the owner.
The castle is reachable via a short hike or drive from Obervellach, near
the Groppensteinschlucht gorge, which is open seasonally (May 17–October
31, 2025) with hours varying from 9 AM–5 PM in peak summer to 10 AM–4 PM
otherwise, and admission of €4–€8. Combine visits with the gorge for
panoramic views of the castle. For updates, contact the Obervellach
municipality or tourism sites like visitmoelltal.at. Respect private
property by staying on public paths; photography from afar is
recommended. Allow less than 1 hour for exterior viewing. Accessibility
may be limited due to the rocky terrain—wear sturdy shoes.
Burg Groppenstein holds profound cultural value as one of Carinthia's best-preserved medieval fortifications, illustrating the region's administrative and defensive history under noble families like the Groppensteiners and Görz counts. Its continuous occupation prevented ruin, preserving authentic elements that offer insights into feudal life, from notarial duties to Habsburg fiefdoms. The 19th-century restoration by Stipperger exemplifies romantic preservation efforts, influencing Austrian heritage practices. As a protected monument (denkmalgeschützt), it contributes to the Mölltal's tourism, drawing history enthusiasts to explore its ties to trade routes and noble lineages. Though privately held, its imposing presence enhances the scenic Groppensteinschlucht, symbolizing Carinthia's layered past amid the Hohe Tauern National Park.