Hohenthurn

Geschichte

Hohenthurn is a municipality in the district of Villach-Land in the Austrian state of Carinthia.GeographyHohenthurn is located in the valley of the Gail river (Gailtal), near the confluence with the Gailitz tributary. The municipal area stretches on the northern slope of the Carnic Alps, close to the border with Italy. It comprises the cadastral communities of Hohenthurn proper and Dreulach (Drevlje).According to a 2001 census, 8.3% of the population are Carinthian Slovenes, speaking the local Gail Valley dialect.HistoryThe municipality was the site of a prehistoric Hallstatt settlement as well as of a Roman watchtower, which is depicted in the coat of arms. Nevertheless, Hohenthurn (from German hoher Turm, i.e. "high tower"), first mentioned in a 1253 deed as Göströsdorf, probably derived its name from the steeple of the Gothic St. Cyriacus Church. Since the medieval Slavic settlement of the Eastern Alps, the area is a centre of Slovene tradition and customs.Notable peopleMatija Majar (1809–1892), Carinthian Slovene priest and activist, served at the parish church in the hamlet of Göriach from 1851 until 1867Karl Schnabl (born 1954), ski jumper