Schloss Porcia

Schloss Porcia stands in the town of Spittal an der Drau in Carinthia, Austria. Built in the 16th century, it is one of the country’s finest Renaissance palaces. Italian architects designed the building in a palazzo style for Count Gabriel von Salamanca-Ortenburg. Work began in 1533 and lasted until 1598, long after the count’s death. The castle was never his home, only his vision. Later owners added Baroque façades and laid out a park in the 19th century.

The castle’s arcaded courtyard holds several Lombard-Italian sculptures. Since 1961 it has hosted the annual Komödienspiele Porcia theatre festival. A local history museum occupies rooms inside the palace. Concerts and chorus recitals take place here regularly. The ghost of Katharina of Ortenburg-Salamanca, known as the White Lady, is said to wander the castle’s corridors.

Visitors walk through the arcades and view the Italian sculptures. The museum displays objects from the region’s past. The park offers a quiet place to stroll beside the palace. The theatre festival brings drama to the courtyard each summer. The legend of the White Lady adds a touch of mystery to the visit.