Lienzer Klause

LIENZER KLAUSE The Lienzer Klause was built by the Bishops of Brixen in 1240 as a defensive wall against the Counts of Görz. One can well imagine that the Counts of Görz, whose center of power in Lienz was only a few kilometers from this complex, were only moderately enthusiastic about it. They eventually allied themselves with the Counts of Tyrol and the Dukes of Andechs-Merania. Together they succeeded in taking the Klause by force of arms. After the extinction of the Görz family, East Tyrol passed into the Habsburg Empire. The Lienzer Klause lost its significance. After Emperor Joseph II ordered the abandonment of all fortresses (except Kufstein) in 1782, the castle fell into disrepair until it was finally bought by two local farmers. It would be some years before the Lienzer Klause faced its test. When Napoleonic troops under the command of General Rusca invaded in late summer 1809, they were repelled by rebellious Tyrolean territorial defenders at the Lienzer Klause. Albin Egger-Lienz immortalized this battle on August 8, 1809, in his famous painting "Das Kreuz". In 1959, work began to renovate the Lienzer Klause step by step. In 2002, the upper tower collapsed. The process of preservation and renovation continued until 2011. Today, the Klause houses a theme trail with information on the development history of the complex. Opening hours: Outdoor area - always accessible. Guided tours at: lienzer.klause@gmx.at