Altgrafenstein Castle

The first documented mention of Altgrafenstein Castle dates back to 1158. In that year, Bishop Roman I of Gurk enfeoffed the Carinthian sovereign Heinrich V from the Spanheim dynasty with the Gravindorf estate and the associated castle, referred to as castrum gravenstaine. As the castle held no strategic importance, Heinrich garrisoned it with vassals, including Heinrich von Truchsen and later his sons Gottfried and Adalbert/Albert. From the Trixen counts' lineage emerged the Grafenstein family in the 12th century, who named themselves after their ancestral castle. Notable members included Heinrich von Grafenstein, who participated in a tournament in 1227, and Rudolf von Grafenstein, whose seal was elevated to the municipal coat of arms in 1954.