Finkenstein Castle

The first documented mention of Finkenstein Castle dates back to 1142. Originally, it was the property of the Dukes of Carinthia, who enfeoffed it to their ministerials, who subsequently called themselves “von Finkenstein”. A conflict occurred in 1223, when Heinrich von Finkenstein disputed with Bishop Heinrich von Bamberg over control of the Gail river crossing. After the Carinthian line of the Finkensteins died out in the early 14th century, the castle reverted to the Dukes of Carinthia, who from 1335 were the Habsburgs. In 1508, Emperor Maximilian transferred the castle and its dominion to Siegmund von Dietrichstein.