Bleiburg Castle

The origins of Bleiburg Castle likely date back to the early 12th century when the complex was built as a castle. The “Pliburch” was first documented in 1228 as the seat of the Counts of Heunburg. After the extinction of this family in 1322, the castle passed to the Aufensteiners. In 1378, the Austrian Dukes Albrecht and Leopold besieged the fortress, took possession of it, and subsequently pledged it several times. Around 1507, construction work was carried out under the administrator Count Julian Lodron. The Ungnad von Sonnegg, related to the Lodrons, continued the expansion. In 1601, Hans-Ambros Count von Thurn acquired the complex and had it converted into a late Renaissance castle.