Süßenstein Castle

Süßenstein Castle is a Gothic castle in Hüttenberg, Carinthia, Austria. It was built in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The castle is directly integrated into the townscape and is located at the confluence of the Mosinz and Steirerbach streams, which is called Görtschitz from the confluence onwards. The castle, featuring a striking, diagonally positioned tower, rises above the valley floor and is accessible via a bridge.

Süßenstein Castle has its origins in Roman times. Romanesque and Gothic core elements, especially as window and door elements, have been preserved from many alterations. Süßenstein was first mentioned in 1247 as Burg Althaus in the Carinthian annals. Wulfingus de Huse, with the epithet Cubertellus, appears as the owner. As can be seen from the documents, Wulfingus came from one of the most distinguished Carinthian families. Hus was a general term in the Middle Ages for stone, fortified buildings.

The history of the castle records an attack by the Hungarians in 1488. However, the attack was repelled. From 1610 until the 19th century, the castle served as the official residence of the mining judge of Hüttenberg – thus it was the seat of the Hüttenberg mining court. During this time, the castle was repeatedly besieged by angry miners who rebelled against the decisions of the mining judge. Since this time as the seat of the mining court, the Süßenstein building has been inextricably linked with the history of the Hüttenberg ore mountain. The castle was extended in the 17th century after a fire and renovated after another fire in the 19th century.