Friesach

Friesach, known in Slovene as Breže, is a historic town located in the Sankt Veit an der Glan district of Carinthia, Austria. Its origins trace back to at least 860 AD, making it recognized as the oldest town in Carinthia. Situated in northern Carinthia near the Styrian border, Friesach covers an area of 120.83 km² at an elevation of 631 meters.

History and Significance

The town's strategic importance was established early on. In 860, King Louis the German granted lands at Friesach to Archbishop Adalwin of Salzburg. Following the formation of the Duchy of Carinthia in 976, Friesach remained a vital southern outpost for Salzburg. The erection of Petersberg fortress around 1076 by Archbishop Gebhard was a significant defensive measure. Despite conflicts with the Carinthian ducal House of Sponheim, Friesach maintained its strategic value.

Friesach was granted town privileges in 1215. During the Middle Ages, it flourished as a principal market town and commercial hub due to its position on the important trade route from Vienna to Venice. Under Archbishop Eberhard II of Regensberg, it became the second-largest city in the Archdiocese of Salzburg and the most important town in Carinthia. The town's prosperity was further evidenced by the minting of its own currency, the Friesacher Pfennig, which became a widely circulated coin in the eastern Alps by the 13th century. The town's prominence began to wane with the rise of the House of Habsburg in 1335, though Petersberg fortress remained a key power base for the Salzburg prince-archbishops. Friesach remained under Salzburg's jurisdiction until the secularization of the archbishopric in 1803, after which it was incorporated into Carinthia.

Notable Features and Economy

The medieval town features well-preserved Romanesque architecture, including the parish church of Saint Bartholomew and its city walls. Other points of interest include the Church of St. Blaise, a Dominican monastery noted for its medieval carvings and sculptures, and the Teutonic Knights' church and hospital. The Burgruine Petersberg, the remnants of the historic fortress, is also a significant site. The Archbishops of Salzburg resided at the Fürstenhof from the 13th century onwards. Friesach's economy currently comprises small to medium-sized industries such as metalworking and textile manufacturing, alongside a strong reliance on tourism. The town also serves as a supraregional health center, partly due to the Teutonic Order hospital.

In recent years, Friesach has also become a leader in renewable energy, with the town beginning to meet its electricity and hot water demands through the largest solar farm in Austria, installed in 2021.