Wörthersee region – Rosental

Holidaying by the Wörthersee lake is a trend with a long tradition. This used to be the summer resort of choice for the rich and famous. It was a hotspot for artists, celebrities and the nobility, in the same league as Monte Carlo and Saint-Tropez. Princesses, counts and their lady-friends came for their holidays, world-famous stars and starlets made assignations, and paparazzi took their famous shots at the Wörthersee. And today, the lake region still remains an outstanding holiday meeting place. A paradise for watersports and the ever-popular worship of the sun, a venue for parties and an opportunity to showcase lifestyles, a yoga hotspot and a meeting point for cyclists, hikers and runners, the Wörthersee is home to the tallest wooden viewing tower in Europe and still bears traces of the Neolithic Age. The mild climate and active culinary and gastronomy scene surrounding the lake, the boat traffic on the Wörthersee itself and a range of events and festivals have earned the region its well-known name as a genuine, permanent hotspot for the summer season.

Along with classic summer sports activities such as golf, hiking and cycling, the region is teeming with interesting sightseeing destinations, like Schloss Rosegg. This castle was built in the neoclassical style, but its architecture is not its only impressive feature. Schloss Rosegg also boasts a long and exciting history. Austria’s largest garden labyrinth - a fabulous destination guaranteed to provide plenty of bewilderment and fun for all ages – is located between the castle and the Rosegg wildlife park. Carinthia’s largest wildlife park, located on the edge of the Karawanks mountain range, is a pleasant stroll away from the historic castle hill. Visitors of all ages will enjoy meeting countless animals as they explore the 30ha park. The spacious facility is home to more than 300 animals, many of whom (such as the ibex, roe deer and peacocks) range freely across the grounds. A visit to the wildlife park is an unforgettable experience for young and old. Most of the paths are suitable for prams. Children particularly enjoy the children’s playground, which is located near the small-animal enclosure and the zoo buffet. Goats, donkeys and llamas share the small-animal enclosure with a variety of other species, many of whom can be hand-fed by visitors.

Schloss Rosegg in the Rosental valley was built by Prince Orsini-Rosenberg for his Italian lover, Madame Lucrezia, in 1772. The castle is strongly reminiscent of the villas along the Italian Brenta river, as the count spent several years in Italy and wanted to bring a touch of Italian style to this summer seat in the heart of Carinthia! The furnishings and many of the fixtures at the castle still date back to this time.

Schloss Rosegg has been the seat of the von und zu Liechtenstein family since 1831. Prince Johannes of Liechtenstein purchased the castle from Peter Ritter von Bohr for one of his sons. Today the castle serves as a venue for summer events, concerts and theatre productions and contains a highly atmospheric castle café.

Austria’s largest garden labyrinth, in between the castle and the Rosegg wildlife park, was opened in July 2001. Over 3,000 hornbeam trees cover an area of 2,400 square metres, creating the kilometre-long hedge that gives the beautiful labyrinth its shape. The tower in the centre serves as a point of orientation as well as being a lovely destination and photo location in itself. The Rosegg Labyrinth varies in appearance depending on the vegetation and the time of year. This attraction near the Rosental valley’s Wörthersee lake is well worth a visit at any time during the summer. The tower in the centre of the labyrinth also provides a fabulous view of the castle.