Heinfels Castle

The origins of Heinfels Castle are now attributed to the Avars, with an early affiliation to the Bavarian dukes from the 7th century considered probable. In 1239, a ministerialis first appeared who named himself after the castle, and in 1243 it was first mentioned in documents, then in the possession of Freising ministeriales. Still in the 13th century, Heinfels fell by inheritance to the Counts of Gorizia, who expanded it from 1275 into an important stronghold with a court seat. Count Johann II of Gorizia chose the castle as his residence in 1460 after losing his Carinthian possessions and expanded it into a residential castle with strong defensive structures. After the death of the last Gorizia Count Leonhard in 1500, the castle passed to Maximilian I, who used it as a weapons and ammunition depot. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands several times, was expanded, damaged by fires and earthquakes, and repeatedly repaired. In the 19th century, it temporarily served as a barracks for Tyrolean Imperial Rifles, leading to further decay. After a partial collapse of the residential tower roof in 1917 and the western gable wall in 1932, the castle was auctioned in 1936 and came into private ownership. Extensive restorations took place in 1999, and since 2005, it has belonged to the entrepreneurial Loacker family.

Heinfels Castle is located in the municipality of Heinfels in the Lienz district of Tyrol, Austria, at an elevation of approximately 1141 m above sea level.

Heinfels Castle is privately owned. Following extensive restorations in recent decades, it is now partially accessible to the public and used for cultural events.

• Anras Castle (Castle), approx. 9.2 km away
• Lienzer Klause Ruin (Fortress), approx. 22.2 km away
• Kienburg Castle Ruin (Castle), approx. 22.3 km away
• Weiherburg Castle (Castle), approx. 22.8 km away