Kath. Stadtpfarrkirche "Maria Verkündigung"

Spittal an der Drau, Carinthia

The origin of the town of Spittal can be found at the Catholic parish church. Of course, several renovations (1307/1584/1966) as well as catastrophes (earthquake in 1690 and fire in 1729/1797) have decisively changed the appearance of the former chapel. Nevertheless, past times have left their traces. Not only Gabriel von Salamanca, Ferdinand I's finance minister, is said to have found his final resting place here according to his will. On the outer north wall, remnants of the coat of arms stone of his first wife "Elisabeth von Eberstein" can still be found today. Inside the church itself, the so-called "Ortenburg stone reliefs" (14th century), the portal stone with the coat of arms of Salamanca-Ortenburg (16th century) as well as a remarkable Pietà (15th century) bear witness to a lively past.