Spittal an der Drau is located to the west of the Millstätter See where the Liesertal winds down from the Katschberghöhe and joins the fertile Drautal. Spittal (stress on the "a") is the gateway to Carinthia and has consequently developed into an important traffic and tourist junction. In 1191 the Counts of Ortenburg founded a chapel and hospice
here for pilgrims and travelers; the Austrian word for a hospice or hospital is "Spitel" or "Spital", hence the name "Spittal". A small castle was built near the present Schloss; in 1478 the town was burned down by the Turks, rebuilt by the Counts of Ortenburg and the Princes of Porcia and made into one of the economic and spiritual centers of Upper Carinthia. The Tauern motorway which was constructed in 1973 skirts the town.
Spittal an der Drau is home to Schloss Porcia, a beautiful renaissance castle, considered one of the most spectacular in all of Austria. The castle hosts the annual festival, Komödienspiele Porcia, featuring classical comedies.
The city of Spittal an der Drau also has one of the largest private collections of model trains in the world.
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