Group 2 | Station 15C | “St. Hemma-Haus”
“St. Hemma-Haus”
This monumental building on Neumarkter Straße with its yellow facade, catches the eye. The building has an interesting history (see below).
Today it is a retirement and nursing home managed by the Carinthian Caritas Association.
History
Former Hospital
In the 12th century CE, there was a hospital at this location for the poor, widows and orphans. It also served as a hostel for pilgrims.
Augustinian Monastery
After the hospital was relocated to the south of the city, beguines moved in. After a short period, the archbishop converted the building into an Augustinian monastery.
Neulavant Castle
Destroyed in the town fire in the 17th century, the ruins came into the possession of the diocese of Lavant, which built an administrative seat here and named it “Neulavant Castle”.
Dominican Nuns
At the end of the 19th century, Dominican nuns took over the building and ran a school for girls with a boarding facility.
Renovation
In 1988 (50 years after the canonisation of Hemma von Gurk), the Diocese of Gurk renovated the building complex.
Carinthian Caritas Association
Today, the Carinthian Caritas Association continues the social tradition of the Middle Ages by operating a retirement and nursing home.
Richard the Lionheart and Friesach
Richard the Lionheart, King of England, went to the Holy Land in the Third Crusade to wage war against Sultan Saladin. During the crusade a dispute developed between Richard and the Duke of Austria.
Richard’s return route to England took him through Austria. The Duke of Austria found out about Richard’s presence in Austria and wanted to take him prisoner.
The king disguised himself as a pilgrim to avoid being recognised. Thus, Richard came to Friesach in December 1192 and wanted to spend the night in the medieval hospital in “Neumarkter Vorstadt” (today St. Hemma-Haus). His six companions were caught in Friesach, while Richard managed to escape.
Later, he was captured in Erdberg, near Vienna and imprisoned in Dürnstein castle. England had to pay a huge ransom to buy Richard’s freedom.
Image Gallery 1
Image Gallery 2
Hemma of Gurk
Map: 15C
Stations: 6A | 6B | 7A | 7B | 15C | 16 | 17B
Station 6A | Granary (East Face)
Station 6B | Granary (West Face)
Station 7A | Dominican Church
Station 7B | Dominican Monastery
Station 15C | “St. Hemma-Haus”
Station 16 | Municipal Park
Station 17B | Neumarkter Bridge