Maria-Loretto Castle

Maria-Loretto Castle is located in the eastern bay of Lake Wörthersee on the Maria Loretto peninsula, next to the mouth of the Lend Canal. After being owned by the Orsini-Rosenberg family since its construction, the city of Klagenfurt acquired the castle at the end of 2002. Today, it is temporarily accessible to the public. Directly next to the castle is a public lido, which formerly belonged to the castle park, as well as a restaurant in the castle's former economic building. Around 1840, an avenue led from today's campsite through the castle park to the shore of Lake Wörthersee.

In 1650, Johann Andreas von Rosenberg acquired the peninsula and in 1652 had a large castle built with a ring of freestanding towers and magnificent portals. Even Valvasor raved about this sight. In 1708, a fire destroyed most of this complex; only remnants of freestanding towers remain. One tower still stands today on the grounds of the lido. The building erected afterwards appears much simpler. The magnificent bridges have also disappeared, as the island became a peninsula through infill and silting. The detailed history of the peninsula, recorded in three handwritten volumes by the respective castle owners, is in the possession of a former owner and co-owner of the castle.