Location: Pusarnitz, Carinthia Map
Constructed: 12th century
Burgruine Feldsberg, also known as Feldsberg Castle Ruin, is a
medieval castle ruin located in the Austrian state of Carinthia. It
sits atop a wooded hilltop west of the village of Pusarnitz, within
the municipality of Lurnfeld, near the town of Spittal an der Drau.
The site's coordinates are approximately 46°50′28″N 13°23′42″E. The
castle is classified as a Höhenburg (hilltop castle), positioned on
a plateau that provides a defensive vantage point over the
surrounding landscape, including the nearby Drava River valley. This
location was strategically chosen for its elevated position,
offering control over local routes and territories in the Mölltal
region. Access to the ruins today involves hiking through forested
paths, though specific trails are not well-documented in popular
sources, suggesting it may be a lesser-visited site compared to more
prominent Carinthian castles.
The surrounding area is part of
Carinthia's alpine terrain, characterized by dense forests, rivers,
and nearby mountains. Pusarnitz itself is a small settlement, and
the castle's proximity to other historical sites like the Treaty of
Pusarnitz memorial underscores its regional importance. The ruin
blends into the natural environment, with overgrown vegetation
contributing to its secluded atmosphere.
The history of Burgruine Feldsberg dates back to the late 12th
century, with its predecessor being the nearby Burgruine Hohenburg,
located higher up the same ridge. The castle is first documented in 1189
through the mention of Hainricus de Veldisberc, a ministerialis (a type
of unfree knight or administrative official) associated with the
Archbishopric of Salzburg. This places its origins in the Romanesque
period, during a time of territorial expansion and conflicts in
Carinthia.
Throughout the medieval era, Feldsberg was embroiled in
disputes between powerful regional entities, notably the Counts of
Gorizia (Görz) and the Archbishopric of Salzburg. These conflicts
revolved around control of lands and jurisdictions in the area,
reflecting the fragmented feudal politics of the time. A significant
historical event tied to the castle occurred in 1460, when parts of the
negotiations for the Treaty of Pusarnitz—a peace agreement between
Emperor Frederick III and the Counts of Gorizia—were conducted at
Feldsberg. This treaty helped stabilize borders and alliances in
Carinthia.
The castle's decline began in the late 16th century. After
its administrative jurisdiction was transferred to Sachsenburg in
Carinthia, maintenance likely ceased. The last recorded castle caretaker
(Pfleger) is noted in 1586, indicating it was still somewhat functional
at that point. By 1658, historical records describe the structure as
already in ruins, suggesting abandonment due to shifting political
priorities, economic factors, or natural decay. Unlike some Carinthian
castles that were rebuilt or repurposed, Feldsberg was not restored,
possibly because of its remote location and the rise of more centralized
fortifications elsewhere.
Scholarly works on Carinthian architecture
and history, such as those discussing 13th-century Austrian building
arts, contextualize Feldsberg within broader trends of Romanesque
fortifications in the region, though it is not a primary focus in
extensive texts.
Burgruine Feldsberg exemplifies a simple Romanesque hilltop
fortification, adapted to the irregular terrain of its plateau site. The
ground plan is an uneven quadrangle, conforming to the natural contours
of the hilltop for enhanced defensibility. Key surviving elements
include remnants of walls on the north and west sides, reaching up to 8
meters in height. These walls feature distinctive herringbone masonry
(opus spicatum), a technique involving diagonally laid stones that was
common in Romanesque architecture for added strength and aesthetic
appeal.
The castle's tower, likely a central defensive feature, now
exists only as a low cone of rubble, indicating significant collapse
over time. Access to the interior was via the southeast side, which
would have been the most approachable and thus fortified entrance. A
notable utilitarian element is a buried cistern, visible as a circular
depression in the northwest corner (referred to as the north angle in
some sources). This cistern would have collected rainwater, essential
for sustaining occupants during sieges or isolation.
Overall, the
architecture reflects modest scale and functionality, typical of
ministerial castles built for local administration and defense rather
than grandeur. There are no indications of later Gothic or Renaissance
additions, suggesting the structure remained largely unchanged from its
12th-13th century origins until its abandonment.
Today, Burgruine Feldsberg is in a state of advanced ruin and serious
dilapidation, with much of the structure reduced to low wall fragments
and rubble. The site is overgrown with forest vegetation, which has
contributed to further erosion and obscured some features. It is
protected as a historical monument under Austrian heritage laws
(classified with the code AT-2), but there are no reports of active
restoration efforts. The ruins are not a major tourist attraction,
lacking facilities like guided tours, signage, or easy access roads,
which makes it appealing primarily to history enthusiasts, hikers, and
locals.
Visiting involves a hike through wooded paths from Pusarnitz
or nearby areas, potentially steep and unmarked in places, so visitors
should prepare with appropriate footwear and navigation tools. The
site's seclusion offers a peaceful experience with views of the
Carinthian countryside, but safety precautions are advised due to
unstable ruins. Photographs of the site are scarce in public domains,
but available images depict scattered stone walls amid trees,
emphasizing the herringbone pattern and the rubble tower base. No
entrance fees apply, and it can be combined with visits to nearby sites
like Burgruine Hohenburg or the broader castle trails in the Spittal
district.
Burgruine Feldsberg holds cultural and historical value as a representative example of Romanesque ministerial fortifications in Carinthia, illustrating the role of such structures in medieval feudal administration and regional conflicts. Its involvement in the Treaty of Pusarnitz negotiations highlights its brief but notable place in Austrian diplomatic history. As part of Carinthia's extensive castle heritage—listed among hundreds in regional inventories—the ruin contributes to understanding the transition from medieval strongholds to abandonment in the early modern period. Though not as prominent as larger sites like Hochosterwitz, it offers insights into the everyday architecture and power dynamics of Salzburg's influence in the area, making it a point of interest for academic studies on Austrian medieval history.