Discover Bleiburg: Art, History and the Wiesenmarkt

Bleiburg can be explored through a range of cultural and historical themes: the work of Werner Berg, sacred architecture, art in public spaces and the Bleiburger Wiesenmarkt. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between buildings and works of art and an annual event. This way, you can focus your stay on art and urban history, or plan it around the market in early September.

Art and Urban History

The Werner Berg Museum opened in 1968 as the Werner Berg Gallery of the City of Bleiburg. It presents the artist’s oeuvre in close interplay with the art and environment of the core area from which he originated. The core collection includes oil paintings, woodcuts, watercolours, drawings and sketches. Changing exhibitions each year show parts of the permanent collection alongside works by other artists. The museum thus combines a permanent focus on its collection with changing displays.

Artworks in other locations also offer opportunities to view Bleiburg from different perspectives. The Freyungsbrunnen fountain was created in 1994 by Pop Art artist Kiki Kogelnik from Gummern marble, marking the 600th anniversary of the Bleiburger Wiesenmarkt. The parish church of Saints Peter and Paul contains six stained-glass windows designed by Karl Vouk in 2004. They depict episodes from the life of Saint Hemma of Gurk and were created as part of the revival of the Hemma pilgrimage route from Pilštanj in Slovenia to Gurk.

Churches and Architectural History

Bleiburg/Pliberk Parish Church is a large Late Gothic church, built in the 15th and 16th centuries. The choir features a net vault dating from 1512. The broad construction dates and the precisely dated vault offer different perspectives on the building’s history. The pilgrimage church of Heiligengrab is located on a Calvary hill. It was built in the Baroque style with two towers between 1761 and 1772.

The protected historic buildings also include Thurn-Valsassina Castle and the former Chapel of St Erasmus at the civic hospital. Thurn-Valsassina Castle is protected as a historic monument by official decree under Section 3. The Goiginger barracks contain art-in-architecture spatial installations by Kiki Kogelnik and Reimo Wukounig; the building is also protected as a historic monument by official decree under Section 3. These sites add further aspects of Bleiburg’s architectural and art history to those found in its churches.

Wiesenmarkt and Cultural Life

The Bleiburger Wiesenmarkt has been held since 1393 and takes place in early September every year. It includes a large amusement park. The market for traders stretches over four kilometres, though this length can vary. The Alpen-Adria tent offers regional delicacies from exhibitors from Carinthia, Slovenia and Italy. Tradition, market activity and culinary offerings provide different reasons to plan a visit around the event.

Bleiburg’s cultural life also includes contemporary dance and the promotion of Slovenian culture. The Center for Choreography Bleiburg/Pliberk is a bilingual cultural institution for contemporary dance. The Kulturni dom Pliberk/Bleiburg association works to introduce the majority population in Carinthia to Slovenian culture. Alongside the historic buildings and Werner Berg’s art, these themes offer further cultural perspectives on the town.

On Foot or Along the Art Cycling Routes

A walk through the historic old town offers many opportunities to experience Bleiburg’s long history. The art cycling routes provide another way to explore: marked with a yellow sunflower and trail markers, they pass numerous wayside shrines and cultural monuments. If you would like to combine your explorations with time outdoors, the Bleiburg adventure outdoor pool is another option. Built in 1929/30, it offers recreation and relaxation against the backdrop of the Petzen and Bleiburg Castle. Check the seasonal opening times before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Michael Ob Bleiburg, Wölfnitz, Koprein Petzen, Sankt Primus, Miklauzhof, Feistritz Ob Bleiburg, Klopein, Rammersdorf.

For the broader travel overview: Völkermarkt.