Group 3 | Station 21
Ruins of “Rotturm” Fortification
Introduction
“Rotturm” could be translated as Red Tower.
The Rotturm or Red Tower was part of the town fortifications of Friesach.
It was built at the beginning of the 14th century CE as part of the strengthening of the western defence wall and fortifications. The Rotturm was positioned at the site from which King Ottokar conquered the town in 1263.
The Rotturm originally consisted of four defence towers and a curtain wall.
Remains of three towers and parts of the defence wall have survived.
The Town Wall and Fortifications of Friesach | Construction History
The Earliest Fortifications
From the early 13th century, records mention a defensive wall encircling Friesach.
Periods of Conflict and Reconstruction
In the late 13th century, Friesach suffered several attacks and plunderings. The original wall proved too weak to defend the town. This led to a major rebuilding effort, creating the fortified layout that still shapes Friesach today.
Present Town Wall and Fortifications
The existing town wall, built between 1292 and 1323, reused earlier structures.
It featured a ring wall about ten to eleven metres high, an outer ward around nine metres wide, and a moat up to fifteen metres across.
Rotturm (Red Tower)
On the northern side, the defences were reinforced by the Rotturm complex – four strong towers with adjoining structures forming part of the northern line of defence.
Town Gates
Access was once secured through five fortified gates: the Neumarkter Tor, the Olsator, the St Veiter Tor, the Heidentor, and the Sacktor. Of these, only the Sacktor partly survives, offering a rare glimpse into Friesach’s once mighty town defences.
Image Gallery 1
Image Gallery 2
Friesach Coat of Arms
The coat of arms of Friesach is based on the oldest surviving seal on a document from 1265 CE (related to the medieval town). It shows the Friesach town fortifications in a highly stylised form with the Olsator in the middle, the Neumarkter Tor and St. Veiter Tor at the sides and the Red Tower at the rear.
Map: 21
Stations: 1A | 21 | 22 | 29 | 30
Station 1A | Renaissance Fountain
Station 21 | “Rotturm” Ruins
Station 22 | Holy Blood Church
Station 29 | Lange Gasse
Station 30 | Sacktor (Former Gate)