Dr Arthur Lemisch
Birthplace and Memorial Plaque – Hauptplatz 24
The house at Hauptplatz 24 is the birthplace of Dr Arthur Lemisch (1865–1953), one of Carinthia’s most prominent political personalities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He played a key role in bringing about the historic Carinthian plebiscite of 10 October 1920.
A marble plaque beside the entrance commemorates his memory, honouring him as “Landesverweser of Carinthia 1918–1921”, a title akin to a regional governor during Austria’s turbulent post-imperial years.
Short Biography
Dr Arthur Lemisch (1865–1953)
Dr Arthur Lemisch was born on 6 February 1865 in St. Veit an der Glan. After attending secondary school in Klagenfurt, he studied law, political science, and agricultural science in Innsbruck, Graz, and Vienna, earning a doctorate in law in 1892.
A leading figure in Carinthian politics from the late 19th century onwards, Lemisch served as a member of the regional assembly and the Imperial Council in Vienna.
From 1918 to 1921, he held the office of Landesverweser, a provisional head of the Carinthian government during a period of national upheaval.
He played a decisive role in the Carinthian Defensive Struggle and the 1920 plebiscite, during which the population of southern Carinthia voted to remain part of Austria rather than join the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
From 1927 to 1931, Lemisch served as Governor of Carinthia.
He died on 29 October 1953 at Kölnhof Manor, his residence on the outskirts of St. Veit.