Herzogburg Castle
Introduction
The “Herzogburg” was constructed in part in the 13th century, during the rule of the Carinthian dukes from the House of Spanheim. Between 1523 and 1529, it was converted into a provincial armoury.
The Herzogburg is a horseshoe-shaped castle complex, integrated into the north-eastern section of the historical town wall of St Veit an der Glan.
The ensemble consists of several distinct components: the plain east wing with Gothic portals; a square corner tower in the northeast; the northern wing with arcades; and the western wing, which served as the residential tract and features two-storey arcades.
The residential wing opens onto the courtyard with an external staircase and pointed-arch arcade walkways. The windows and doors display late Gothic chamfered stone frames, and several original iron doors from the construction period have been preserved.
Since 1619, the castle has been in private ownership.
Architectural Description
The oldest parts of the structure – including the east wing and the prominent corner tower – date back to the 13th century.
The east wing is a plain, three-storey building with Gothic portals, windows, and doors, all with simply profiled stone frames. A sundial on the facade bears the date 1529.
At the north-eastern corner rises a massive, five-storey tower with a square layout, equipped with loopholes and topped by a striking pyramid-shaped roof. The adjoining northern wing is only partially preserved, with parts of the upper floor having collapsed.
The west wing, once used for residential purposes, still features two-storey arcaded walkways with ribbed star vaulting and an exterior staircase. Windows and doorways are framed with chamfered and partially profiled stonework. Several original iron doors from the building’s early phase also remain intact.
The inner courtyard is enclosed by a high wall facing Burggasse. Above the gateway, a heraldic stone from 1524 displays the Austrian “Bindenschild” and the coat of arms of Carinthia.
From 1948 until its relocation to the former Bürgerspital, the town museum of St Veit – originally founded in 1886 – was housed on the first floor of the east wing.
Cultural Life
From 1948 to 2004, the castle was home to the town museum and a venue for notable public discussions featuring figures such as Peter Turrini and Thomas Bernhard. The site was also used as a film location, including for the production The Pastor with the Jazz Trumpet.
Since the 2000s, the Burgkulturtage festival has brought open-air concerts and international performers like Bob Geldof and Rebekka Bakken to St Veit.
In 2005, the Galerie Herzogburg was opened in the east wing. Spanning two floors, it hosts rotating exhibitions of contemporary art. The east wing is available for private events, while the privately inhabited west wing is occasionally used as a setting for film and photography.
Herzogburg Bathed in Morning Golden Light | Gallery 1
Herzogburg Bathed in Morning Golden Light | Gallery 2
Herzogburg | Forenoon | Gallery 3
Herzogburg | Afternoon | Gallery 4
Herzogburg Garden | Gallery 5
Coat of Arms on a Marble Slab | Labelled Image
Stone Displaying Coat of Arms at the Herzogburg Castle Gate
Above the archway at the entrance to the Herzogburg (ducal castle), a white marble stone displaying the coat of arms is set into the wall. Originally framed by frescoes, the stone bears a double coat of arms and an inscription band with the date 1524. This date refers to renovation works carried out on the castle during that period.
Historical Background
The coat of arms on the left represents the Duchy of Carinthia, while the one on the right shows the Bindenschild – the heraldic emblem of the Habsburg dynasty.
The Bindenschild consists of a silver horizontal band on a red field and originally belonged to the ruling house of Babenberg. Its red and white colours were later adopted by the Habsburgs and remain associated with Austria to this day.
Historical Photographs
Image Source: Archive of the Municipal Authority of St. Veit an der Glan
Corner Tower of the Herzogburg
(Former Ducal Armoury)
Photograph, c. 1950
Corner Tower of the Herzogburg
Photographed from the Courtyard in 1962
Northern Wing, Herzogburg
Photographed from the Courtyard in 1962
Two-Storeyed Arcaded Western Wing, Herzogburg
Photographed from the Courtyard in 1962