Mailänderhof
History and Location
The Mailänderhof is a small manor house or rural estate, built at the end of the 18th century and still inhabited today.
It is located in the Friesacher suburb, the historic area just east of the old town. First mentioned in 1428 as the “Friesacher Ort,” this suburb developed along the Friesacher Straße. The Mailänderhof was one of the few buildings in the area, alongside estates such as Ranftlhof, Kölnhof, and Schönmühle.
In the 19th century, the estate formed part of this suburban settlement, which consisted of scattered buildings outside the city walls.
Architecture and Features
As a manor house in the style of a Late-Baroque rural estate, the Mailänderhof presents a two-storey arrangement, with a garden-side entrance and a pronounced window rhythm – typical of the refined rural architecture of its time.
A particularly interesting detail on the façade is a charming “window-gazer” figure, a small sculpted head that peers from one of the upper windows. This local artwork is considered a real eye-catcher and was highlighted in the “Jewels of the Cultural Landscape” presentation.
In front of the main building stands a Neoclassical wayside shrine (a small devotional cross or column with a niche), which harmonises with the overall appearance of the estate.
Setting and Significance
The Mailänderhof was – and remains – a visual highlight in the Friesacher suburb, which was once predominantly rural. The estate exemplifies the early suburban character as a collection of rural noble houses and farmsteads along the roads leading out of the city gates.
Today, the estate is a protected monument in St Veit and contributes to the historical ensemble outside the town centre. The window-gazer sculpture, in particular, is frequently mentioned in publications and guided tours.
Summary
Date | End of 18th century, manor house / rural estate |
Location | Friesacher suburb, east of the city walls |
Architecture | Two-storey Late-Baroque manor with classical façade arrangement |
Features | Window-gazer sculpture, Neoclassical wayside shrine |
Significance | Example of the suburban settlement development; today a listed monument |
Historical Photograph
Image Source: Archive of the Municipal Authority of St. Veit an der Glan
View towards the South-West
“Mailänderhof” labelled
Artistic Work (1840)