Winklern Castle

Only the multi-story keep of the former Winklern Castle has been preserved. The oldest evidence for the location dates back to the 11th century. At this time, Salzburg and Brixen were spiritual landlords in and around Winklern. Count Udalschalk is also mentioned in some documents.

In the 13th century, the Counts of Görz appear as owners of the estates, probably by way of Vogtship. The "Mautturm" (toll tower), as it is called today, is first mentioned in documents in the 14th century. In 1447, Otto von Reuntal gives up "his house and seat there in Wynchlern, which he has newly built", and Count Heinrich von Görz re-enfeoffs Heinrich von der Linden and Wiliburg with it. In 1388, Nykel der Möderndorfer transfers the tower in Winklern to Heinrich II von Lavant.

Winklern remained in the possession of the Görz family until 1460. They repeatedly granted the tower as a fief. Through the Peace of Pusarnitz in 1460, the Görz estates fell to the Habsburgs. Over the centuries, the tower constantly changed owners and feudal lords. In 1780, Lorenz Wernisch acquired it along with the house, courtyard, and fields. His son Franz Wernisch had the tower extended around 1860 and gave it its present appearance. Around 1890, Dr. Josef Aicher von Aichenegg acquired the entire property. In 1917, Maria Pfalzer bought the Gasthof Post and the associated Mautturm from his daughters, which now served as a popular viewing platform. In 1988, it was acquired by the association "Freunde des Obermölltaler Kulturgutes" (Friends of the Upper Möll Valley Cultural Heritage), which managed the Winklern landmark in trust for the municipality. In 1989, the building was re-roofed and fitted with windows on the top floor.

In the course of the Carinthian State Exhibition "Wasser-Gold" (Water-Gold) in 2004, it was rebuilt according to the plans of the architects DI. Dr. Jana Revedin with a wood-steel construction, the "Tauernwurm", made accessible from the outside and inside, and given a new use.