Burgruine Goldenstein

Dellach, Austria, Austria

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Burgruine Goldenstein is a medieval castle ruin in the municipality of Dellach in the Gailtal valley of Carinthia, Austria, built on a steep rock spur high above the Mayengraben and still protected as a historic monument.

Its name comes from gold mining that was once carried out in the area, and the site originally included two fortifications: an older, higher “Goldburg” mentioned in 1227 and the later Goldenstein, which was first built by Niklas von Flaschberg in 1325 and soon became part of the possessions of the Counts of Görz.

The castle was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, notably during the Turkish raids at the end of the 15th century, and after a major demolition by Count Johann of Görz in 1459 it was reconstructed under the Habsburgs before gradually falling into ruin from the 16th century onward, eventually coming into the hands of the Porcia family, who held it until 1918.

Today only the lower part of the tower, some palace walls, portions of the outer curtain wall, and the bridge foundations remain, but the site is accessible via a scenic hiking route and offers striking views over the surrounding mountains and deep valleys.