SPITTAL AN DER DRAU

'Spittal an der Drau' is an Austrian town, located in the western part of the Austrian federal state of Carinthia, and the administrative center of the federal state's largest district, Spittal an der Drau. It is located between the Lurnfeld area and the lower valley of the Drava River. Spittal has a population of about 16,000 people.

Contents

History

Main sights

Transportation

Twin cities

History

The first document mentioning a settlement dates from 1191, when a hospital (''Spittl'') and a church were built by Hermann I and Otto II of Carinthia. The first market was founded in 1242, while in 1457 the citizen were given the right to choose their judge and the council.
The city was ravaged by two fires in 1522 and 1729. It became a city more than 750 years ago.

Main sights

In the town centre lies Schloss Porcia, considered one of the most beautiful renaissance castles in the whole Austria. The castle hosts an annual festival for classical comedies (''Komödienspiele Porcia'').
The city also houses the largest private collection of model trains in the world.

Transportation

The city has a railroad station on the line Villach-Salzburg. It lies also on the A10 Highway (''Tauernautobahn'') and the B10 regional road. A cableway to Mount Goldeck also exists.

Twin cities

★ Pordenone, Italy