Salzburg's proprietary see in the Carinthian hills, founded in 1072 on the estates of Countess Hemma's nunnery.
The bishop lives not at Gurk but in the castle of Straßburg nearby, built in 1147, and holds the upper Gurk valley. The Gurk chapter and the archbishop of Salzburg have been fighting for decades over who chooses the bishop. Both prelates die within a fortnight of each other in April 1200.
Who holds it
- Name
- Ekkehard
- Title
- Bishop of Gurk
- Since
- 1196 (campaign notes)
- Confidence
- medium
Beyond the campaign notes (death on 23 April 1200) nothing is pinned in the sources consulted. The list pages for Gurk could not be read (rate limit).
What it holds
- The upper Gurk valley: the estates of the nunnery founded by Countess Hemma in 1043, which endowed the bishopric
- Straßburg castle, built in 1147 under Bishop Roman I, the bishops' residence; a market only from 1229
- Gurk with its cathedral and chapter
How it was acquired
Founded by Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg in 1072 on Hemma's endowment.
How things stand that morning
Ekkehard holds the see; the appointment dispute with Salzburg is unresolved.
Wealth
Estates and forest of the Gurk valley; tithes.
Threats
- The Salzburg-Gurk dispute at the next vacancy
Advocates and rivals
The archbishop of Salzburg, who claims to appoint the bishop; Bishop Roman (1132-1167) had won the chapter the right to elect. The dispute ran for a century: in 1208 the archbishop was to nominate three candidates for the chapter to choose from, and in 1232 Salzburg regained the appointment. The Spanheim dukes of Carinthia are neighbours.
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 23 April 1200Ekkehard dies (campaign notes). With the archbishop of Salzburg dead since 8 April, chapter and metropolitan clash over the choice of his successor (Walther is bishop by 1209).Depends on: His natural death. Stopped by: Nothing likely.
Places of note
- Straßburg castle: Bishops' residence, built 1147
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The see's structure and the appointment dispute are attested (English Wikipedia on the diocese, German on Straßburg); the holder is from the campaign notes only.
On the map: The episcopal lands are drawn by modern municipalities of the Gurk valley; the true holdings were estates interlaced with others' rights.
Primary sources for Carinthia
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- The Austrian and Salzburg annals (kept in the 12th and 13th centuries, with continuations to the late 13th century). A family of monastic annals from Austria, Styria and Salzburg, printed together. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.