Burgruine Griffen

Griffen, Austria, Austria

---

Burgruine Griffen is a medieval castle ruin perched on a steep limestone rock spur called the Schlossberg about 130 meters above the town of Griffen in Carinthia, Austria, and it has become the town’s most recognizable landmark and symbol.

The castle was built between 1124 and 1146 by the bishops of Bamberg, who owned the site for centuries, and was first mentioned in 1160 when Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa confirmed it as long-standing Bamberg property; due to its excellent natural position and strong defenses, it was never conquered or seriously attacked during its active years, and only fell into decay in the 18th century once its fortifications no longer matched modern warfare needs.

In 1759 the remaining Bamberg estates in Carinthia were transferred to the Austrian crown under Maria Theresa, and Griffen became part of the Austrian state before passing through various private owners until the municipality of Griffen took over the ruin in 1999 and, beginning in 2000, carried out extensive restoration work that stabilized the walls and made the site accessible again as a well-maintained cultural monument.

Visitors reach the ruin via a steep stairway from the church in Griffen, and from the top there are wide views over the surrounding countryside and the Saualpe foothills, while just beneath the castle, inside the rock mass of the Schlossberg, lies the famous Griffen dripstone cave (Griffener Tropfsteinhöhle), one of the most colorful and varied solution caves in Austria, which can also be visited and is often paired with the ruin as a combined excursion destination.