Spittal an der Drau - old Austrian town located on the banks of the Drava river in the Western part of Carinthia. It is the administrative center of the district of Spittal an der Drau.

The first documented mention of the settlement of Spittal an der Drau refers to 1191. In the act of Archbishop Adalbert refers to the construction of a hospital with a chapel next to the ancient road. Construction was begun on the orders of Otto II. Gradually around the hospital showed the town received market rights in 1242. In 1418, these areas came to the count Herman of Celje. In 1478 the local lands were devastated by the Turkish wars, and later were occupied by Hungarian troops and a longtime rival of the Emperor Frederick king Matthias the Corwin. There followed a series of peasant uprisings and fires in Spittal an der Drau reigned oppressive atmosphere. The situation changed in 1524, when the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand I commissioned local land his Treasurer Gabriel von Salamanca. In 1533 Salamanca was built on the main square of Spittal his residence Palazzo, a Portion, which is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Austria in the Renaissance style. Was restored hospital and a Catholic parish Church of the Annunciation of Mary, made in the late Gothic style.

In 1797 Spittal was besieged by French troops, and in 1809 went to the French Illyrian provinces in accordance with the Treaty of schönbrunn. In the Austrian Empire Spittal returned in 1815, and then began its economic recovery, which greatly contributed to the emergence of the railway.

Today the Palace Portion of each year, the festival theatre comedies, and part of the Palazzo is given to the Museum. In addition, in Spittal an der Drau you can see the largest private model railroad. The Spittal an der Drau is a member of the Association of small historic towns.

5 km North-West of Spittal are the ruins of an early Christian Church and Museum, which houses a collection of coins and inscriptions of the times of stay of the Celtic peoples and the Romans.