Raabs an der Thaya: Discover the Castle, River and Culture

Raabs an der Thaya combines an impressive history with a riverside landscape and a wide range of excursion destinations. The most distinctive landmark is Raabs Castle, which stands at the confluence of the Moravian Thaya and the German Thaya and is one of the earliest stone castles built in what is now Austria. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Raabs an der Thaya will find a place where culture, activity and relaxing days by the water can be combined to suit different travel plans.

Castle, City Wall and Ecclesiastical Art

Raabs’ historical side is evident not only in its castle. The city wall is still almost completely preserved. It includes the Raikahof round tower, a corner tower of the city wall, which was built at the end of the 15th century. The parish church also reaches far back into history: its oldest section displays late Romanesque forms dating from the 13th century. The church tower houses Austria’s oldest bell with figurative decorations, dating from 1343.

Another destination is the Church of All Saints. It was built in 1511 and has been consecrated as a church again since 1971. Raabs also offers several unusual insights for visitors interested in culture: the Doll Museum displays more than 3,000 exhibits and tells the story of a journey through time from the Biedermeier period to the 1960s. The Borderland Museum presents Neolithic stone axes, archaeological finds, medieval artefacts and agricultural equipment. It also provides information about arable farming along the Thaya.

Hiking Trails, Family Trail and Thaya Round

For active days on holiday, the municipality has 80 kilometres of well-marked and well-maintained hiking trails. A special, shorter discovery route is the Pixie Trail. It begins and ends at the confluence of the German Thaya and the Moravian Thaya and is designed as a family trail with five hands-on stations. This makes it possible to combine an excursion with a specific destination and several small moments of discovery.

The Thaya Round also offers a clear option for planning your day. The section from Göpfritz via Groß-Siegharts to Raabs is 21 kilometres long, fully paved and follows a former railway line. There are no significant inclines along the route. The municipal authority describes the scenic Thaya Round, with its flat elevation profile, as particularly suitable for families with children and people aged 50 and over. Those who prefer a longer, peaceful route can take this character into account when planning their trip.

Thaya, Kollmitz Ruins and Relaxation

When water levels are favourable and nature and environmental protection rules are observed, the Thaya can be navigated by touring canoe. The canoe route from Raabs via Kollmitz to Eibenstein is approximately 13 kilometres long. The Kollmitz Ruins lie on a promontory-like rock on the left bank, around which the Thaya flows. They were built for defence against Bohemia, combining the experience of the landscape with medieval history.

For quieter or weather-independent hours, the Thayatal Vitalbad offers a sports pool, an adventure and relaxation pool, as well as a dedicated children’s water area with a slide and children’s pool. Several saunas and a steam bath are located directly on the Thaya. This allows you to plan different daily rhythms when looking for accommodation: active trails and river experiences as well as days focused on water and relaxation.

Further Historical and Cultural Discoveries

The area’s distinctive historical character also includes the three-storey granary in Primmersdorf and the site of the former Zwickl paper mill. The granary was built in 1706 by Jakob Prandtauer on behalf of the Augustinian Canons’ Monastery of Herzogenburg and still has its fully preserved original Baroque wooden structure. Since the end of the 17th century, the site of the former Zwickl paper mill was probably home to the oldest paper mill in the Waldviertel. Destinations like these give a trip additional depth beyond the familiar river and castle highlights.

For further orientation, you can also take a look at Waldberg, Waidhofen an der Thaya, Dietmanns, Groß-Siegharts, Vitis and Karlstein an der Thaya.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Waidhofen an der Thaya.