Liebenfels Castle Ruins

Liebenfels, Austria, Austria

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Liebenfels Castle Ruits (Burgruine Liebenfels) is a medieval twin castle complex on a rocky hilltop northeast of the town of Liebenfels in the district of Sankt Veit an der Glan, in the historical heart of Carinthia, Austria.

The surviving structures show a mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture, including two massive keeps (Bergfriede) from around 1300 and the early 14th century—one in the inner stronghold and one in the extensive outer bailey—along with a early Gothic ring wall, a two-storey Gothic chapel, former great hall, and residential buildings with characteristic room windows and stepped gables.

The castle was first mentioned as Liewenvelse in 1312, served as a ducal fief, was partially destroyed during the Hungarian occupation between 1484 and 1490, and by the late 17th century was already described as “almost desolate,” yet today the site has been partially reconstructed and opened as a tourist attraction with guided tours, a small museum, archaeological finds, restored ramparts, and a skywalk offering panoramic views over the surrounding landscape.