Oberdrauburg
Top attractions
The ruins of Hohenburg Castle are the landmark of Oberdrauburg and were first mentioned in a document in 1375. Over the centuries, the castle was remodelled several times, so that the architecture features both Gothic and Renaissance elements. From the beginning of the 19th century, the castle began to fall into disrepair. In 1911, the massive keep collapsed. Hohenburg Castle is situated on a hill to the north of Oberdrauburg and can be reached on foot from the town centre in around 20-30 minutes. Today the castle is owned by the market town of Oberdrauburg, which has lovingly restored it. It is both a monument and a centre for various cultural events and is freely accessible.
Flaschberg Castle. It is the sister castle of Hohenburg and was probably built in the 11th century on a protruding rocky outcrop. The ground plan of the large castle is rectangular. In the centre of the castle courtyard stood a large palas with a round-arched Romanesque portal. From the early seventeenth century onwards, the castle was uninhabited and also fell into visible disrepair. The castle ruins can be reached via the Pirkacher country road on the south side of the Drau. A footpath leads from the village of Flaschberg to the ruins. The castle grounds are now heavily overgrown and the tower is inaccessible. Restoration work that had begun has been cancelled. Today, only the palace - one of the castle's former three towers - rises out of the foliage and can be seen far across the valley.
The parish church of St. Leonhard in Zwickenberg is considered a jewel among the Gothic churches of Upper Carinthia and was first mentioned in a document in 1334. The Zwickenberg parish church owes its origins to the early settlement of Zwickenberg by miners and is dedicated to St Leonhard. The church is a simple Romanesque-Gothic long building. The skilfully carved late Gothic winged altar dates from the 16th century.
Culture & events
There is evidence of settlement in the municipality dating back to Celtic and Roman times. Oberdrauburg Castle was first mentioned in writing in 1240 as Traburch castrum. Museum Oberdrauburg During excavation campaigns inside the Flaschberg ruins, a large number of medieval artefacts were discovered. The results of the excavations are made accessible in museum exhibitions.
Culinary specialities
Gasthof Pontiller is renowned for its excellent fish and game dishes. Regional delicacies such as Drautaler Schinkenspeck, Oberdrauburger Kassupp'n, Krapfln, a local version of Carinthian noodles, are also available to savour in Oberdrauburg.