Burg Griffen: A Medieval Castle in Carinthia, Austria
Visitor Information
Google Rating: 4.6
Popularity: Low
Official Website: www.griffen.gv.at
Country: Austria
Civilization: Early Modern, Medieval European
Site type: Military
Remains: Castle
History
Burg Griffen stands on a limestone mountain above the town of Griffen in Carinthia, Austria. It was built between 1124 and 1146 by order of Bishop Otto of Bamberg. The castle was originally part of the Bamberg estates, as confirmed in a 1160 document where Emperor Friedrich I Barbarossa referred to it as Grivena, identifying it as Bamberg property.
In 1292, the castle became a focal point of conflict when Count Ulrich von Heunburg, a Carinthian noble, seized it during a rebellion against Albert of Habsburg. Ulrich was supported by Archbishop Konrad IV of Salzburg but lost his allies and abandoned the castle about a year later. This event reflects the castle’s role in regional power struggles during the late 13th century.
Around 1520, Burg Griffen underwent significant reconstruction to strengthen its defenses against the threat of Ottoman invasions. The castle’s base was expanded to cover roughly 4000 square meters. Despite these preparations, the Ottomans never laid siege to the fortress.
In 1759, Bishop Adam Friedrich sold the Bamberg estates in Carinthia, including Burg Griffen, to Maria Theresa of Austria. This transaction incorporated the castle into the Duchy of Carinthia. The castle chapel held its last religious service in 1768, marking the end of its ecclesiastical use. By approximately 1840, the roofs had collapsed, leaving the castle in ruins. Preservation efforts began in 2000 to maintain what remains of the site.
Remains
Burg Griffen is situated on a limestone mountain rising 130 meters above the surrounding area. After the 16th-century reconstruction, the castle’s footprint covered about 4000 square meters, reflecting its expanded defensive role. The structure was built primarily from local stone, typical of medieval fortifications in the region.
One notable event in the castle’s later history was a fire caused by lightning striking a tower in 1659. This incident contributed to the gradual decline of the castle’s condition. By the mid-19th century, the roofs had fallen in, leaving the castle as a ruin.
Today, a paved footpath leads from the mountain base to the castle ruins, allowing access to the site. Within the mountain itself lies the Griffener Tropfsteinhöhle, a dripstone cave measuring 485 meters in length. This natural feature was discovered near the end of World War II and has been open to the public since 1957. The cave is a distinct geological attraction associated with the castle’s location but separate from its historical use.
The ruins of Burg Griffen remain largely fragmentary, with preservation efforts ongoing since 2000 to stabilize and maintain the site.
