Gmünd in Carinthia | The Porsche Museum and the Old Castle

In the northwest of the state of Carinthia lies the historic town of Gmünd, featuring several attractions worth knowing about (don't confuse it with Gmünd in the state of Lower Austria). In the town center, there is an interesting historical museum of the Porsche company, as well as an ancient castle perched on a lofty hill overlooking the entire town. The well-preserved old town center is an attraction in itself for many visitors who come to the area.

The Story of the Town

Gmünd is located in the southeastern part of the Ankogel Group mountains, which belong to the Hohe Tauern range. The old town is situated in the heart of the Liesertal valley, near the Malta valley, and the Lieserbach river flows through it.

The town was founded in the 13th century AD by the Archbishop of Salzburg. The archbishop established the town to help protect the trade routes that passed through this area. In the heart of the town, a fortified castle was built on a hill 768 meters above sea level. The castle withstood many attacks by Hungarian and Turkish armies that invaded the region, and parts of it were destroyed.

Between 1502 and 1506, the castle was restored and transformed into a small but impressive Renaissance-style palace, which served as the residence for the nobility who ruled the area. In 1690, parts of the palace were destroyed by a major earthquake that also damaged parts of the old town. The palace was restored again, but in 1886, a fire broke out and destroyed it completely. It was not renovated afterward and remains in ruins to this day.

Today, there is a restaurant in the area of the old castle ruins, as well as a summer stage where music performances are held during the warmer months.

What can you do in Gmünd?

A visit to Gmünd is enjoyable even if you just wander through the old town. The old town square (Hauptplatz) is surrounded by beautiful houses and cafes, and the ancient streets are very pleasant.

Ferdinand Porsche Automuseum

Car enthusiasts will delight in the historical museum of the luxury motor company, Porsche. The museum features antique models from the renowned company, as well as documents and photos from the early years of the company and its founder, Ferdinand Porsche.

The location of the museum is no coincidence. After World War II, Porsche and his team moved from Stuttgart, Germany, to the village of Karnerau, which is right next to Gmünd.

Essential Information for Visiting the Museum

Opening Hours:

May 16th to October 15th: from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Entrance Fee:

Adult: €11
Child (6-14): €5

Official Website

Address: Riesertratte 4a, 9853 Gmünd

Map:

Another attraction in Gmünd is the Divided Church (Geteilte Kirche), which was built on both sides of the road. It is a single structure with one half on one side of the road and the other half on the opposite side.