Schloss Straßburg

Strassburg Castle is the former seat of the Bishops of Gurk and its name to the eponymous town in Carinthia Gurk valley.

The castle is strategically located on a mountain above the town of Strasbourg. It was given its name because it controlled the road to Gurk. The Strasbourg was first documented in 1147 as Strazburch documented. It was built by the Bishop of Gurk novel I, who built the castle as well as the Cathedral of Gurk to demonstrate its independence from the archbishop of Salzburg. Already the first castle pointed to its present size of approximately 70 m in length approximately. The Strasbourg, which was up in the first half of the 16th century as a castle ( castrum, veste ), hereinafter referred to as the castle, was until 1783 the seat of the Bishops of Gurk. Then left to decay, it has been repaired from the 1950s and is largely built again today.

History

The first castle was completed under Bishop I. Roman ( 1131-1167 ). The two towers date from this period and demonstrate that already the first castle had the proportions of today. The castle corresponded to the time in what is now Austria familiar castle type with a brick Bering, a simple Mauertor, a eingeschoßigen Chapel ( here dedicated to St. Mauritius ) and a festivals house ( the apartment building ). During the clashes with the Archbishop of Salzburg, the castle was besieged in 1179 and 1180 largely destroyed. The Bering is still mostly preserved (for example, in the outer walls of today's western and northern tract to 9 m in height).

The chapel was built in the late 12th century, consisting of nave, chancel square and semicircle apse. In the 14th century the chapel was increased by a bullet, put another bullet in the 15th century the square choir. The last increase of the choir took place in 1682.

The original fortress was a two-storey house or palace building on the south side of the valley side, west of the chapel. Today, parts of the 13th century are still preserved. The palace was further extended in the Middle Ages to the west and increased early 17th century. 1611 the two flights of stairs was completed with a rundbogigem Chloritschieferportal.

The digestion tower ( donjon, 8.40 × 7.95 m) was built simultaneously with the chapel and flanked the castle gate. He was a fortification and residence of ministeriales Gurk bishops. The original four-storey building has been increased by a bullet in the late Middle Ages. From the originally existing wooden battlement the post holes are only preserved.

Outside was in the 14th century to the northern perimeter wall of the eastern tower ' built. Here are the ground and first floor each one - still preserved - Rauchkuchl. The western tower or Mint Tower was built in the 15th century. 1450 Before the Palas a two-storey porch was built out on the courtyard side. Around the middle of the 15th century, the outer walls were reinforced.

After 1450, the two-storey west wing was built onto the side of the courtyard Bering, increases the north side annular wall, the festivals house rebuilt and increased to the present height, and the chapel, as mentioned, was increased. This construction can be seen through the Gothic windows, doors and vault forms. This construction work is prince bishop Ulrich III. Sonneberg (1453-1469) attributed. In 1500, the two-storey north wing was built.

1583/84 the stall and box building was built according to plans by Johann Anton Verda, who was also involved in the construction of the Klagenfurt country house in the northwest. The three-storey, rectangular building along the ground floor housed the stables, about the bulk soil (each three-aisled hall with vaulted ceiling ) and the hall. 1611 the south wing was extended (see above) and south of the chapel built in 1634, a staircase turret.

After the castle partly decayed. On the one hand were fires (1638, 1650) to blame for the lack of interest of the other bishops ( as Sigismund Franz, Archduke of Austria ), which never stayed as an imperial envoy to the Strasbourg.

Under Prince Bishop Cardinal John VIII Baron Goes's the Strasbourg was expanded to the baroque residence. Between 1680 and 1690 two-storey arcades, which are upstream of the wings facing the courtyard were built by stonemason John payr. Originally corresponded to an arc of arched pillared arcades on the ground floor two arches of the arcades Tuscan columns on the first floor ( the reconstruction 1962, these clear structure was not restored ). The Hofwände were decorated with horizontal bands running plaster and Sgraffitodekor. Stylistically, the courtyard of the Renaissance is committed. 1685 in the kennel leading baroque portal was built a year later the main gate ( on the site of the Romanesque main gate ). The chapel was equipped with strong plastic stucco and wall paintings of Adam Claus.

During an earthquake on 21 November 1767, the castle was badly damaged. After 1783, the residence of the bishops was moved to Castle Pöckstein, the castle fell more and more. 1858 and 1904 there was a fire caused by lightning. 1954 even a Demolierungsbescheid was adopted for backup purposes. By thus led efforts began in 1956 rescue and later reconstruction. Today the castle is largely restored.

Current usage

Today, the castle is open to the public. In the castle are:

• Cultural Strasbourg
• Ethnographic Collections
• Hunt Museum
• Restaurant