Top 9 in Top 10 tourist attractions you should not miss when traveling in Austria.
On the east side of St. Veit, on a cliff about 160 meters above the valley, stands Burg Hochosterwitz, Austria's most important medieval castle. After a tumultuous history, the castle was first mentioned in AD 860 - having been captured by Khevenhüllers, and expanded in 1570 in the face of Turkish invaders. Never captured by the enemy, the castle has remained with the Khevenhüller family ever since.
The steep path leading to the castle, Burgweg, winds through 14 defensive gates to a beautiful domed courtyard, where you'll find a small chapel with wall and ceiling paintings from 1570 and a church at the end. southwest of the castle with a high altar dating from 1729.