Location: Carinthia Map
Constructed: 11th century
Burgruine Gurnitz, also known as Burg Gurnitz, is a historic castle
ruin situated in the municipality of Ebenthal in Kärnten, in the
Klagenfurt-Land district of Carinthia, Austria. It lies on a small,
partially artificially steepened rock spur hill above the parish church
(Propstei) of Gurnitz, overlooking the Klagenfurter Becken (Klagenfurt
Basin). The site's geographical coordinates are approximately 46° 36′ 7″
N, 14° 23′ 36″ E. As a hill castle (Höhenburg in German), it was
strategically positioned for defense, with views extending toward the
nearby Glan and Glanfurt rivers. Today, it is classified as a ruin, with
only sparse remnants visible, making it a subtle but intriguing
historical site rather than a grand tourist attraction. Access to the
ruins is challenging, requiring a climb from the west, as the original
pathways have largely deteriorated.
The castle is part of a broader
landscape rich in medieval history, near other sites like Schloss
Ebenthal (the primary residence of its current owners) and Burgruine
Greifenfels, about 1.5 km to the west. Gurnitz itself is a small hamlet
with around 380 residents, adding to the site's quaint, rural charm.
While not as famous as larger Austrian castles like Dürnstein or
Hochosterwitz, Burgruine Gurnitz represents a typical example of early
medieval fortifications in Carinthia, reflecting the region's turbulent
feudal past.
The origins of Burgruine Gurnitz trace back to the 9th century when
the land was donated to the Archdiocese of Salzburg in 860 AD, initially
serving as a royal estate (Königshof). By the 11th century, it had
evolved into a fortified castle, with its owners adopting the surname
"von Gurnitz." The first documented mention of an owner comes from 1156,
referring to Bernhard von Gurnitz. In the early 13th century, Heinrich
von Gurnitz renamed himself Heinrich von Greifenfels around 1235,
possibly indicating a shift in family identity or the construction of
nearby Greifenfels Castle.
Ownership changed hands frequently due to
political instability. Dietmar von Greifenfels relinquished the castle
in 1315, passing it to Konrad von Aufenstein (also spelled Auffenstein).
The Auffenstein family held it until their line ended in 1395/96 after a
failed uprising against regional authorities, resulting in the
imprisonment and death of the last male heir, Friedrich von Auffenstein.
This event led to the castle being pledged and sold multiple times: to
Konrad von Asbach in 1437, Friedrich von Kastelwarkh in 1461, Wolfgang
Andreas von Graben in 1481, and Niklas von Wildenstein in 1484.
A
notable event in the castle's history was an attempted siege by Ottoman
forces in 1473 during the Turkish incursions into Carinthia, though
details are sparse and primarily noted in later accounts. By 1584,
Erasmus von Gera acquired the property, and it stayed with the Gera
family until 1714, by which point the castle had already fallen into
disrepair and was considered a ruin. In 1714, Johann Peter Graf von
Goess purchased it, and the Goess family has owned it ever since, though
they reside at the nearby Schloss Ebenthal rather than maintaining
Gurnitz as a habitable structure.
Early 19th-century traveler Joseph
Kyselak visited in 1825 and described the site as heavily decayed, with
scattered ruins overgrown by vegetation. He predicted that traces of the
"once-proud castle" would soon vanish entirely, highlighting its rapid
decline. This account provides a poignant snapshot of the site's
condition during the Romantic era, when ruins were often romanticized in
literature and art.
Burgruine Gurnitz exemplifies simple Romanesque hill castle
architecture from the 11th-12th centuries. It featured a large
rectangular residential building (Palas) with an attached tower on the
western side, enclosing a courtyard. The main structures were positioned
on the southern edge of the rock spur, providing defensive advantages
over the basin below. The tower and residential quarters were the core
of the fortification, with an eastern enclosure wall completing the
courtyard. Access was originally from the west, likely via a drawbridge
or steep path, though no remnants of gates or advanced defenses like
moats are mentioned in surviving records.
Historical depictions, such
as a 1688 engraving by Johann Weikhard von Valvasor in his work
Topographia Archiducatus Carinthiae, show the castle in a more intact
state, with prominent towers and walls. This image captures it before
its full descent into ruin, illustrating a multi-story structure with
possible battlements and a compact layout suited to the hilly terrain.
In its current state, only minor fragments remain: parts of the western
tower and sections of the eastern courtyard wall. The site is overgrown,
and the rock spur's natural steepness adds to its inaccessibility. No
major restorations have been undertaken, preserving its authentic ruined
character. Nearby, the old brewery (Altes Bräuhaus) in Gurnitz, dating
to a similar period, may have historical ties to the castle's estate,
though it is a separate structure.
As a protected cultural heritage site (with Austrian heritage ID 10891), Burgruine Gurnitz is in a state of advanced ruin, with limited visible remains that blend into the landscape. It is not actively maintained for tourism, and visitors should be prepared for a hike to reach it. The Goess family continues to own the property, but it serves no practical function beyond historical significance. There are no reports of recent excavations or events, though the broader area around Klagenfurt offers cultural activities, such as those at the nearby Kulturhaus Gurnitz, a modern community center.
Burgruine Gurnitz holds regional importance as a testament to Carinthia's medieval feudal system, marked by shifting alliances, uprisings, and Ottoman threats. It appears on lists of Austrian castles and is occasionally referenced in travel guides for history enthusiasts exploring Klagenfurt's surroundings, alongside sites like Schloss Annabichl or Schloss Zigguln. For those interested, combining a visit with nearby Ebenthal or Klagenfurt provides context, as the ruin itself offers more in historical reflection than visual spectacle. Accommodations in Gurnitz are limited but available through platforms like Airbnb, catering to those seeking a quiet base for exploring Carinthia's castles.