Between its medieval local history and a distinctive bridge across the Drau, Töplitsch offers different perspectives for a stay. The Puch pedestrian and cycle bridge connects Töplitsch and Puch; the branch church of St. Lambert offers another view of the area, while archaeological finds provide insights into the history of the wider settlement area. When weighing up the focus of a trip, visitors can consider the structure and connection, church architecture, and historical traces as different themes.

Local history and archaeological traces

The name Töplitsch derives from the Slavic “Toplice” and means “warm water” or “warm spring.” Another historical marker dates to 1142: after the County of Lurn was divided, Töplitsch became an administrative district within the territory of the Counts of Ortenburg. An official administered the district and lived in a tower above the village; today, the so-called Grabenhof stands on its site. Thus, in local history, the Grabenhof is linked to the former official’s tower.

The Drau Valley, including the area around Töplitsch, is considered an ancient settlement area; its history reaches back to antiquity. Two archaeological finds provide specific dates. In 1962, a gold ear pendant from the 9th century AD was found during construction of the Töplitsch water pipeline. In 1965, a sword and a spearhead were unearthed at the Brandstätter property on the eastern slope of the Grabenhof; Professor Dolzer dated them to 300–400 BC. The two finds come from widely separated periods and provide insight into the long history of the settlement area.

Branch church and the Way of St. James

The branch church of St. Lambert is a Late Gothic building. The Way of St. James passes through Töplitsch, where the church is mentioned. Its Late Gothic architecture and its connection to the pilgrimage route offer two distinct ways to experience this place. For travellers interested in cultural history, a specific architectural style is linked with a route connection.

The Puch pedestrian and cycle bridge

The Puch pedestrian and cycle bridge is a single-pylon suspension bridge over the Drau between Töplitsch and Puch and was completed in 2015. Its span is 104.5 metres, and the pylon is 40.6 metres high. The span describes the distance covered by the bridge; the pylon height indicates the height of the pylon. Thus, alongside the bridge type, there are two distinct construction measurements. As an accessible connection, the bridge has a maximum gradient of 4 percent and provides access to the Puch ÖBB stop. It can therefore be considered both in terms of its design and its connection between Töplitsch and Puch; access to the stop is an additional consideration for planning your trip.

Leisure and tennis

Töplitsch has the Töplitsch leisure complex and the TC Töplitsch tennis facility at Neubruchweg 2, 9722 Töplitsch. Anyone planning a stay around leisure or tennis can take this area into account when choosing a destination. The facilities complement the cultural and historical themes with a practical focus on leisure and sport.

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