Hartneidstein Castle or Burgruine ("castle ruins" in Germain) is a medieval citadel situated in an Austrian region of Carinthia. It dates back to at least 14th century. Hartneidstein Castle is a medieval citadel situated in Lavant Valley in the Austria province of Carinthia. It was erected in the 14th century by Hartneidstein of Weissenegg on a high ground (877 meters above sea level) overlooking a village of Eitweg below. Weissenegg family sold Hartneidstein Castle to the Counts of Cilli in 1363. In 1425 Hartneidstein Castle was acquired by Diocese of Bamberg who officially established the citadel as a regional court.
Location: Carinthia Map
Constructed: 14th century
The castle was built around 1300 by Hartneid von Weißenegg. It remained in the possession of the Weißeneggers until 1331, after which it came to the Lords of Walsee and after their extinction in 1363 to the Counts of Cilli. In 1425 the diocese of Bamberg acquired the castles and district courts of Hartneidstein and Weißenegg from Hermann II of Cilli in exchange for the Hohenmauthen fortress near Muta. Hartneidstein remained the seat of a district court, which from then on was responsible for the lower Lavanttal. In 1469 Hartneidstein was attacked by the Turks and burned down, but was immediately rebuilt. When the seat of the court was relocated to Wolfsberg at the end of the 17th century, the complex was already in a state of decay, which was accelerated by the loss of importance in the 18th century.
Walls of the originally 25 m high, square keep have survived to the north, other parts of today's ruins, including the Gothic profiled gate and the gatekeeper's house on the north side as well as the remains of the palace in the south of the complex go back to later additions from the 14th and 15th centuries return.