Burgruine Gomarn, castle
Burgruine Gomarn is a castle ruin in Bad St. Leonhard im Lavanttal, Austria, built on a wooded hill with thick stone walls that remain largely intact. Its main components include a square tower dating to around 1300, a four-story residential building with preserved stone windows, an eastern gate tower, and an open courtyard that once formed the heart of the defensive structure.
The castle was probably built shortly after 1000 and first documented in 1278 when it served as the seat of Bamberg's regional judges. Two major fires, in 1762 and 1808, destroyed its residential function and led to the permanent abandonment of the site.
The name Gomarn comes from a 12th-century church dedicated to Saint Leonard, which shaped the identity of the surrounding settlement. The ruins serve as a quiet reminder of how the local community values and preserves its connection to the past.
The ruins are freely accessible year-round and are best visited in good weather while wearing comfortable shoes for the uneven terrain and stone steps. The site has no major facilities, but the nearby town offers restaurants and rest areas for after your visit.
Local legend tells of a secret underground tunnel system large enough for horses and carts to pass through, with sections possibly still hidden beneath the earth today. This elaborate network reveals how thoughtfully medieval builders designed escape routes and defensive passages.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
