Schloss Bleiburg, Medieval castle in Bleiburg, Austria
Schloss Bleiburg is a castle with Renaissance architecture perched on an elevated hilltop and distinguished by prominent towers and reinforced walls. The structure blends medieval defensive design with architectural elements added over succeeding centuries.
The castle was first documented in 1228 as Pliburch and served as the seat of the Counts of Heunburg initially. It passed to the Aufenstein family after 1322 and underwent successive changes in ownership and control.
The library on the second floor displays an early Baroque coffered ceiling and three doors from the 17th century decorated with intricate wood inlays. These rooms reflect the refined living standards of aristocratic life.
The castle remains under private ownership of the Thurn-Valsassina family with limited access to visitors. Advance arrangement is necessary to see the interior, as only guided tours are permitted.
The castle chapel dedicated to Saint Paul shows how Gothic and Baroque styles merged in its design, particularly in the polygonal choir and the Baroque cross-vault ceiling. This blend of two periods makes the chapel architecturally distinctive.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
