Finkenstein Castle Arena

HISTORY

First mentioned in an act of 1142, the castle initially belonged to the Carinthia estates belonging to the prince-bishops of Bamberg and was included in their local courtesies. After the extinction of the Carinthia Finkensteins in the early 14th century - a cadet branch of the family called the Finck von Finckenstein rose to prominence in East Prussia, possibly after participating in the Third Crusade - the estate returned to the Dukes of Carinthia, held by the House of Habsburg since 1335.

Since the end of the 18th century, it was no longer inhabited and decayed; only ruins remain. Rebuilt several times, the oldest preserved parts of the castle ruins date back to 12th century Romanesque architecture.