Burg Raabs

Raabs, one of the oldest stone castles in Austria, towers above the confluence of the Moravian and German Dyje rivers. On a steep cliff, towering over the town.

A bulwark against all invasions from the north - even the Czech origin of the name underlines the importance of the castle: Castrum Rakouz is so important for Bohemia that the land behind it is given the same name. In 1183, Albrecht I of Austria pledged Raab Castle to his marshal Heinrich von Maissau, after which the fortress and lordship passed to the Puchheimers and remained in their hands for almost three and a half centuries. The Puchheimers of the 16th and 18th centuries commissioned Gothic extensions - the medieval castle became a palace. The lords of the castle in the 18th century also added palatial additions. Today, Raabs is one of the most important castles in Austria in terms of architecture, settlement history and history.

The multi-storey castle complex spans the entire width of the cliff and has a foundation measuring 21 x 12.30 meters. A chapel towers above the highest point of the rock, while the small ensemble is secured against the attacking side by the pentagonal keep. The old fortress was integrated into the later castle building - the foundation walls of the Romanesque chapel on the cliff top have been preserved. The castle is entered via the forecourt with Renaissance arrow arcades; the main castle houses the large and small knights' halls.

Raabs Castle is now owned by the publisher Richard Pils and his family. His "Library of the Province" has won several awards for its quality. For over 20 years, the annual Poetry Festival in August has been attracting book and culture lovers to the old walls. However, the calendar of events is not only interesting for bookworms: the program includes castle concerts, festivals and musical castle tours.

Guided tours outside the tour times only for groups by prior arrangement: Tel. +43 (0) 2856 3794