Friesach - Austria historical city situated in Sankt Veit an der Glan in Carinthia. Known as the oldest town in Carinthia, where well preserved medieval buildings and fortifications. The city is located in the Northern part of Carinthia near the border with Styria, about 40 km North from the capital Klagenfurt.

The history of the city began in the year 860, when king Louis the German, donated land to the Archbishop Adalwin from Salzburg. Approximately 740 Bavarians came to this land and settled on the site of the future Friesach. After the formation of the Duchy of Carinthia in 976, the Friezes became an important strategic Outpost. The city was built the fortress Petersberg. The constant attacks Prince Engelbert the city ended only in 1124. In 1149, king Conrad III stayed in the castle on the way back from the Second crusade. Richard the Lionheart in 1192, too, stayed in Petersberg. The fortress was an important strategic target throughout the middle ages, was reinforced by Leonard von Ketchum in 1495.

The castle received its town privileges in 1215. In the middle ages Friesach was an important trading city on the way from Vienna to Venice. The city thrived under Archbishop Eberhard II (1200-1246, Friezes became the most important city in Carinthia. In the city the silver was mined, from which even minted its own currency that was widely used in the 12th century in the Austrian and Hungarian lands. Until 1803, the town remained in the possession of the archbishops of Salzburg, but lost the economic value.

In the early 1890's, the city had created all the conditions for receiving tourists: gentrified streets, built a swimming pool and tennis courts, set up a Cycling club.

The main interest for tourists is the city wall length of 820 meters, and a protective moat and several towers. From the Petersberg remained the main tower in 6 floors. Other interesting tourist sites include the Church of St. Peter with a magnificent altar, built in the Gothic style, and a statue of the virgin Mary of 1200. The Church was built in 1525. The Dominican monastery is the statue of the virgin Mary from the 14th century, a wooden crucifix of the 1300 year old religious items. But of particular interest is the Church of St. Bartholomew, built in the 12th century on the site of an even more ancient temple. Here are preserved fragments of frescoes of the 12th century.