In 1524 the count "Gabriel of Salamanca" got the county Orthenburg, the area of today´s Spittal, from the archduke Ferdinand. Gabriel started to build the castle in 1533, and after 60 years the castle, which was designed and planned by an Italian architect, who is also responsible for the Italianate style courtyard with its arcades, was finished. After the Dukes of Salamanca, who managed the county until 1639, the wealthy burgher family Widmann took over the county Orthenburg and the castle.

In 1662 the Princes of Porcia bought the castle, that´s why it is called Castle Porcia today. They managed the county sucessfully until the end of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy in 1918.

In the 18^th century the Porcias added many new baroque elements to the facade and the interior of the castle.

In 1918 the Prince of Porcia sold the castle to "Baron Klinger of Klingerstoff", who then had to sell the valuable inventory to make money. Only few historic pieces have remained. You can see them in the "Furstenzimmer" (Prince´s Chamber).

Of course, there´s a ghost haunting the castle. It´s the ghost of duchess Salamanca, who killed one of her employees with her shoe.

• The inner courtyard is the venue for classical comedy performances in summer
• There´s an art gallery presenting works of contemporary art,
• The "Ortenburger Keller", a venue for presentations of literature and readings of poetry,
• The banqueting hall, a venue for concerts, and festive events like balls.

On the 2^nd and 3^rd floor of the castle there´s the renowned museum of local history and alpine folk-culture showing a variety of interesting exhibits of what life was like in the alpine region of Upper Carinthia in former times.