Location: Kosternberg, Carinthia Map
Constructed: 12th century
Hohenwart Castle or Burgruine Hohenwart is a medieval citadel near a town of Kosternberg in an Austrian province of Carinthia. Hohenwart Castle is a ruined medieval fortress located near Kosternberg in Carinthia province of Austria. It stands on top of strategic hill at an altitude of 802 meters above sea level. Hohenwart Castle is known locally as a Black Castle. It was constructed in the 12th century by the orders of Duke Henry V of Carinthia. Henry's brother Duke Hermann sold Hohenwart Castle to Bishop of Gurk Roman I in 1162.
Location
The ruins of the former hilltop castle are located on the
rocky, partly wooded summit of the Kleiner Sternberg at 802 m above sea
level.
History
In the middle of the 12th century, Duke
Heinrich V of Carinthia received the castle and dominion of Hohenwart as
a gift from Pilgrim von Pozzuolo. Heinrich's brother Duke Hermann sold
the castle in 1162 to Bishop Roman I of Gurk. In 1365 the Bishop of Gurk
enfeoffed the Counts of Ortenburg with the castle. Then the Counts of
Cilli were the owners, who died out, after which the castle fell into
the hands of the troops of Emperor Frederick III in 1456. fell; However,
it remains unclear whether the castle was already destroyed at that time
or only in the 16th century.
Complex
Three courtyards
The
castle complex is divided into three consecutive courtyards. From the
former Altburg from the first half of the 12th century there are walls
in the south of the complex around the inner courtyard, most of the
recognizable components in the north-east of the complex (outer
courtyard) date from the second half of the 13th century.
main
tower
The formerly square keep (dating from the second half of the
thirteenth century), the eastern part of which has broken off, is
connected to the outer castle wall; On the west side of the first upper
floor of the tower there is a pointed arched entrance gate, a bay window
on the fourth floor can be seen on the south side, as well as a pointed
arched window.
castle chapel
It stands in the outer courtyard:
one enters a double chapel with a partially preserved semicircular apse,
probably from the first half of the twelfth century, originally with a
flat roof, later protected with a steep gable roof. In the lower chapel
you can still see a ogival triumphal arch, whereas that of the upper
chapel no longer exists. The choirs were vaulted and are now in danger
of collapsing; there are two rose windows on the west wall.
Miscellaneous walls
Remains of residential buildings and defensive
walls are still clearly visible.