Ossiach & Lake Ossiachersee:
Carinthia at its best for tourism
Given that Carinthia is famous for the great outdoors rather than sightseeing attractions, the market town of Ossiach has at least a proper monastery to offer. Situated by one of the province's main lakes, Lake Ossiach, the town of the same name has a mere 750 residents that seem to be outnumbered by the water-sport keen crowds that populate it during summer.
The main attraction of Ossiach is the former monastery and its church, first built in Romanesque style around 1000 AD. It is considered to be the oldest monastic church of Carinthia. A later church, however, was built in Gothic style in the late 15th century - before the current church was built in heavy Baroque style until 1746. So you see that the whole claim of "oldest monastic…" is a bit dodgy. Anyway, the monastery was dissolved under the rule of Emperor Joseph II in 1783 and today, the facilities serve as parish church or exhibition and conference venue. There is more information on Ossiach Monastery available in my article on the monasteries of Carinthia.
Every August, conveniently coinciding with the peak of the tourism season, an international handicraft fair is held ("Kunsthandwerksmarkt"). Materials admitted include clay, wood, glass and various fabrics such as wool or plant materials. Beyond that, Ossiach provides good facilities for water sports. Following the shore of the lake, you will find a series of small villages that are all notably tourism-friendly - which didn′t really add to their natural appeal.
Attractions around Lake Ossiachersee
On the southern shore, the villages of Heiligengestade and Ostriach offer good facilities for tennis and camping. Annenheim on the northern shore offers good access to some of the surrounding mountains via cable cars. For those driving their own vehicles, the town of Bodensdorf grants access to a "panorama road" to the Gerlitzen Mountain. Attractions nearby include the ruined castle of Landskron, which is a dramatic sight from where you can oversee the lake and the dramatic mountain landscape surrounding it.
Otherwise, there are various towns in the surroundings of Lake Ossiachersee that are worth a closer look: Villach to the West could be combined with a trip to Landskron and the small Lake Faakersee; Velden, Maria Wörth and Klagenfurt by Lake Wörthersee are popular destinations; and going eastwards from Ossiach, you will get to the fortress of Hochosterwitz, St Veit an der Glan and - a bit further away - Gurk with its impressive Romanesque basilica.
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Sightseeing Guide"
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