Originally a mansio on the Roman road between Villach (Sanctium) and Virunum, it was first mentioned in a 1263 deed as Campus (field, pasture - German: Feld) and in 1410 as Velben.
In medieval times it belonged to the estates of the Hohenwart Castle, seat of the Counts of Celje, the Counts of Ortenburg, the Knightly Order of Saint George in Millstatt Abbey, and finally the Austrian House of Habsburg.