Hochwart Castle

The history of Hochwart Castle dates back to the 12th century. In the mid-12th century, Duke Henry V of Carinthia received the dominion of Hohenwart as a gift from Pilgrim of Pozzuolo. His brother, Duke Hermann, sold the castle in 1162 to Bishop Roman I of Gurk. Later, in 1365, the Bishop of Gurk enfeoffed the Counts of Ortenburg with the castle. After their possession by the Counts of Cilli, who later died out, Hochwart fell to the troops of Emperor Frederick III in 1456. It remains unclear whether the castle's destruction occurred at this time or only in the 16th century.

The Hochwart castle ruin is located on the Kleiner Sternberg, south of the village of Köstenberg, within the municipality of Velden am Wörther See-Köstenberg in the Villach Land district, Carinthia, Austria. It stands at an elevation of approx. 809 m above sea level.

The Hochwart castle ruin is divided into three consecutive courtyards. Remains of walls from the old castle, dating back to the 12th century, are preserved in the south of the inner …