Fuggerau, Medieval castle ruin near Arnoldstein, Austria
Fuggerau is a castle ruin near Arnoldstein that preserves the remains of a fortified mining complex built by the Fugger family. The stone structures include fortification walls, metal processing facilities, and other buildings spread along the River Gailitz.
The Fugger family founded this fortified mining complex in 1495 after obtaining rights from Arnoldstein Abbey to extract and process copper and silver. The site became an important production center for metals that were in demand on the Venetian market.
The site shows how a medieval fortress served both as a stronghold and as an industrial center for metal processing. The Fugger family shaped this place to blend defensive needs with business interests, creating something between a castle and a factory.
The site is accessible by following marked hiking trails from Arnoldstein and offers views across the surrounding Carinthian landscape. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the ruins sit on sloped terrain and paths can be steep in places.
A cannon foundry operated on this site and produced over 260 cannons in 1504, making it one of the major weapons suppliers for the Holy Roman Empire. The water power from the river drove all the production processes, giving the operation remarkable output for its time.
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