CENTRAL CARINTHIA PLACES TO VISIT UNWIND AND DISCOVER UNSPOILT AUTHENTICITY SUPPORTED BY where paths ‹› flourish 3 CENTRALCARINTHIA REGION THE AUTHENTIC TRAVEL EXPERIENCE CULTURE (ELECTRIC) E-BIKING The country between Hochosterwitz and Gurk, around the ducal Steeped in history as it is, Central Carinthia is bursting with seat of St. Veit and beyond the medieval town walls of Friesach, energy and is also looking to the future. At the Tourist Office on has always been the historic heart of Carinthia. Even today, the St. Veit’s Hauptplatz (main town square) energy-saving e-bikes perfectly preserved castles, the magnificent stately homes, the stand ready and waiting. With their help you can explore Central family inns so rich in tradition, the age-old pilgrim ways and the Carinthia in an environmentally friendly manner, allowing you to cultural landscape that has developed in harmony with nature all master this tract of country completely as the fancy takes you. bear witness to this fact. The electric power for the bikes is from the renewable energy sources, for which the innovative St. Veit “Energy-Cluster” is famous. where paths ‹› flourish Explore the Heart of Carinthia CULINARY DELIGHTS PILGRIMAGES Where travellers, tradesmen and pilgrims once rested on their From time immemorial there have been especially spiritual sites Central Carinthia – where pristine valleys and gentle mountain steeped in history meet the modern age; together they offer a journeys, lodging houses and inns grew up with rich traditions in Central Carinthia, where believers have founded churches and landscapes definitively shape Carinthia’s historic heart. Where truly exceptional experience, mediated by paths and by-ways that behind them; to this very day, they are still run as family businesses. monasteries. And they remain in use for the same purpose even mighty castles and majestic ruins sit enthroned above idyllic have grown and flourished over the course of history. Following recipes handed down from the past, they produce the today. The Cathedral at Gurk is the perfect example, as a targeted countryside and warm, crystal-clear bathing lakes. Here Carin- Explore this gem on foot, with an (electric) e-bike, or by car – in typical culinary delicacies of Central Carinthia, which are also destination on a number of pilgrimage trails, including the Hemma thian wine is grown on sunny slopes and the Region’s culinary the company of our certified hiking guides or independently – used as the basis for new, award-winning creations. Wines from Pilgrims’ Way. Then again, the famous Metnitz Dance of Death, delicacies are an alluring delight. Here culture and sites that are and take a stroll through Central Carinthia, where paths flourish. Lake Längsee and refreshing Hirt and Wimitz beers also hold out the Tibetan pilgrimage path in Hüttenberg and the Protestant the prospect of memorable pleasures. “Trail of the Book” are testimony to other approaches to faith. CONTACT US TOURISMUSVEREIN MITTELKÄRNTEN Hauptplatz 23 9300 St. Veit/Glan Tel: +43 4212 45608 E-Mail: [email protected] www.kaernten-mitte.at 4 5 3 4 SCHLOSS TANZENBERG (PALACE): A CULTURAL GEM WIMITZBRÄU (BREWERY): THE DANGEROUSLY GENUINE BEER Schloss Tanzenberg is situated on a gentle hill above the historic plain of Zollfeld and is one of the most significant Renaissance Wimitzbräu brewery was established in 2011 in Wimitzgraben complexes in Austria. At the beginning of the 20th century – the “Valley of the Outlaws”. The water that rises from the a Neo-Romanesque galleried basilica with three naves and a ground there reputedly rotates in a clockwise direction and has rounded apse was constructed in the southwest wing, which therapeutic properties. This exceptional Wimitz spring water is had once accommodated a magnificently appointed ballroom. a basic ingredient for the innovative micro-brewery. It is totally DISCOVERY TOUR In 1986 Valentin Oman, an artist renowned far beyond the committed to its unprocessed, “dangerously genuine” beers borders of Austria, was commissioned with the design for the and to regional marketing. All its beer varieties are completely City tours: strolling through the impressive altarpiece and choir walls. untreated and unprocessed; they are brewed under certified jewel on the River Glan, or riding conditions of organic quality and only sold within a radius of an e-bike on a unique voyage of TIP: Magdalensberg (MOUNTAIN) about 60km. The brewery offers guided tours and tastings. discovery that spans the centu- Looking out from Tanzenberg your gaze will settle on Magdalens- ries. Keeping you entertained berg – one of the Region’s four holy mountains. It is the starting along the way, fully trained point for the annual “Four-Mountains-Pilgrimage”. Its archaeological city guides let you in on park is worth a visit and the panoramic view from the summit is St. Veit an der Glan the secrets of St. Veit. simply breathtaking. Environs of St. Veit THE REGION’S HISTORIC HEART RELIVE THE CITY’S HISTORY “ENERGY ADVENTURE” – SCHLOSS FRAUENSTEIN (PALACE): AN IDYLLIC GEM AND INNOVATIVE CENTRE AT ST. VEIT MUSEUM EXHIBITION AT FUCHSPALAST WHERE PATHS BEGIN IN HARMONY WITH NATURE St. Veit’s picturesque Old Town bears wit- Right on the Main Square “St. Veit Mu- Despite its rich history St. Veit is not resting Late-medieval Schloss Frauenstein is among the best preserved To the north of St. Veit lies Lake Kraiger See. This small bathing ness to the 900-year history of the “Ducal seum” beckons, with an exhibition cover- on its laurels. Quite the contrary: for years late-Gothic buildings in Carinthia. Originally a moated castle, lake is warm in summer and idyllically situated. What makes the City”. This former seat of the powerful ing the city’s 900-year history. Together the city has also been a centre of innova- today it is private property. It is the picturesque backdrop for the lake especially appealing is the availability of environmentally- Dukes of Carinthia is still impressive to with the Transport Museum – well worth tion in the field of renewable energy. So, it starting places of numerous hiking paths criss-crossing Central friendly leisure activities, such as hiking, running, swimming visit today. A host of cultural-historical a visit - it is not just a rainy-day attraction, comes as no surprise that the “Energy Ad- Carinthia. and cycling, or trips to the numerous fascinating ruins, stately treasures, perfectly preserved things to but also offers a wealth of information venture” exhibition is on display here in the homes and castles in the vicinity. see and display exhibits are testimony to and a point of reference for all visitors to middle of the city. Of its kind, it is unique TIP: Guided hiking tours around the Kraig palaces and Lake the former Capital’s influential past and its the Ducal City. Young and old alike will in Austria and it is set in the incomparable Kraiger See are particularly attractive. TIP: To the southwest of the Ducal City, the completely unspoilt self-confident citizenry. be thrilled by the railway simulator, a true ambience of the Fuchspalast (palace). The Lake Hörzendorfer See is a miniature paradise for anglers. to life driver’s cab, the elaborate model multi-media show is every bit as captivat- TIP: in the Ducal City, the St. Veit autumn railway layout and the garden train. ing as it is informative. An appreciation of Wiesenmarkt (market) has virtually been renewable forms of energy is conveyed in a fifth season in the annual cycle for more playful style and the inter-connections are than 650 years. made visible and easy to grasp. 1 2 5 6 6 8 9 “PAGEANT DINNER”: TASTING THE PAST CRAIGHER: CHOCOLATE MAKES YOU HAPPY The delicious, five-course “pageant dinner” is fit for a prince and With its huge range of chocolate confections, the Café Confiserie prepared according to original medieval recipes. Its setting is a Craigher chocolatier proves its point: diversity of taste before unique show programme: jugglers, fire-eaters, belly-dancers, pip- bland uniformity. Dieter Craigher meticulously nuances his latest ers, drummers, lute players and other artists perform as you eat. creations, forever surprising his customers with new blends of The programme of entertainment is individually adjusted to each tastes. Find out more about the production of Craigher Choco- group, contributing to a particularly mouth-watering experience. late and the philosophy behind it on a guided tour. DISCOVERY TOUR On the popular “herald’s tour”, guests are met in the main square by a herald dressed in authentic medieval style. He is waiting to guide you through the oldest city in Carinthia. After sunset his role is assumed by a night Friesach watchman. Friesach SET IN STONE: TIME TRAVEL TO THE MIDDLE AGES BUILDING A MEDIEVAL CASTLE WAX ROOMS CAFÉ AND MUSEUM Hardly any other city can rival the extent to which Friesach has On a hill to the south of the city, a new castle is being built using See – feel – experience – enjoy. The wax rooms bring together preserved its original medieval character down to the present only medieval techniques and working methods to match. Just the pleasures of top-quality food and drink and the traditional day. The fortified site with its city wall and water-filled moat, the as they were 800 years ago, wood, stone and metal are the handicraft of the candle maker. From the small bee garden castles, churches and monasteries are a standing invitation to most important building materials. Visitors are invited to look (where the wax comes from), by way of the preparation of a journey into the past. The huge variety of craft artefacts and over the shoulders of the craftsmen at work. They can see for waxed cord, right up to the finished wax taper, take a trip though monuments make the whole city one complete artwork that just themselves how stones were carved in those days, how nails the world of medieval chandlers - and of the ginger-bread mak- has to be experienced.