# Burgruine Landskron

- **Country:** Austria
- **Coordinates:** 47.412600, 15.271900
- **Name:** Landskron Castle
- **Type:** Hill castle
- **Owner:** Private
- **Condition:** Ruin
- **Year Built:** Early 14th century
- **Location Text:** Carinthia, Austria
- **Open To Public:** Yes

Landskron Castle is a medieval hill fortress situated northeast of Villach in Carinthia, Austria. Perched on a rocky cone within the Ossiach Tauern range at an elevation of 658 meters, the structure dates back to the early 14th century. Although the site has been settled since the Hallstatt era and mentioned in deeds as early as 878, the castle itself was first recorded in 1351. It originally served as a strategic stronghold for the Habsburg dukes and the Prince-Bishops of Bamberg. Over the centuries, ownership shifted among powerful noble families, including the Counts of Ortenburg and the Lords of Stubenberg, before undergoing significant transformation during the Renaissance period.

The castle holds considerable historical significance due to its architectural evolution and royal connections. In 1542, Christoph von Khevenhüller acquired the property and rebuilt it in a lavish Renaissance style, making it his primary residence. This era marked a high point for the fortress, notably hosting Emperor Charles V in 1552 while he fled Protestant troops. However, religious conflicts during the Thirty Years' War led to the Khevenhüller family losing the estate to the Dietrichstein dynasty in 1628. Following decades of unsuccessful legal battles by the former owners and general neglect, the structure eventually fell into decay, transitioning from a noble residence to the ruins seen today.

Currently, Landskron Castle exists as a privately owned ruin that remains open to the public. While the medieval and Renaissance structures are no longer intact residential quarters, the site has been repurposed into a major tourist destination. It is now renowned for its falconry center, which conducts regular flying demonstrations, and a nearby enclosure for Japanese macaques. These modern attractions draw visitors to the historic location, offering both entertainment and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including Lake Ossiach, ensuring the legacy of Landskron continues despite its ruined condition.

![Photo of Burgruine Landskron](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Villach_-_Burg_Landskron_%28b%29.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgruine_Landskron (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)