Hohenthurn is a municipality in the district of Villach-Land in the Austrian state of Carinthia.

Congregation structure

Hohenthurn consists of two cadastral communities, Dreulach and Hohenthurn, which comprise a total of the following six villages: (population status January 1, 2018)

Geography

Hohenthurn 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.

History

The 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.

Politics

Seats in the municipal council (Gemeinderat) as of 2015 local elections:

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Hohenthurn is twinned with:

Notable people