Raabs Castle stands at the confluence of the Moravian and German Thaya rivers and is one of the earliest stone castles built in what is now Austria. The river and history also shape the range of activities: you can explore buildings and collections or focus on hiking, cycling and water routes. The Wichtelweg starts and ends at the confluence, connecting this riverside location with a family trail featuring five hands-on stations.
Castle, Town Wall and Churches
The town wall of Raabs is still almost completely intact. The Raikahof Round Tower is a corner tower in the wall, which was built in the late 15th century. The castle reveals another chapter in the history of construction: Kollmitz Castle ruins were built to defend the border against Bohemia. They stand on a promontory-like rock on the left bank, around which the Thaya flows.
The churches also mark different periods in history. The oldest part of the parish church features late Romanesque forms dating from the 13th century. Its bell tower houses Austria’s oldest bell with figurative depictions, dated to 1343. The Church of All Saints was built in 1511 and was reconsecrated as a church in 1971. A focus on cultural history thus brings together medieval architectural forms, a dated bell and a church with a long history of construction.
Museums with Different Perspectives
The Borderland Museum displays Neolithic stone axes, archaeological finds, medieval artefacts and agricultural equipment. It also shares knowledge about farming along the Thaya. The Doll Museum in Raabs has more than 3,000 exhibits and takes visitors on a journey through time from the Biedermeier period to the 1960s. The difference is useful when deciding what to see: the Borderland Museum focuses on finds, agriculture and the history of the region, while the Doll Museum presents its collection across a span of several eras.
The Schneider Bakery building is also part of local history; bakers have worked there for more than 400 years. This glimpse of a long-established craft complements the museums and architectural history with a tangible link to local daily life across many generations.
Hiking, Cycling and Canoeing
There are 80 kilometres of well-marked and well-maintained hiking trails in the municipality. The Wichtelweg is designed as a family trail and has five hands-on stations; both its starting and ending points are at the confluence of the German and Moravian Thaya rivers. The municipality also describes the Thayarunde as scenic, with a gentle elevation profile. According to the municipality, it is particularly suitable for families with children and people aged 50 and over.
For a specific cycling route, the section of the Thayarunde from Göpfritz via Groß-Siegharts to Raabs is listed as approximately 21 kilometres long. It is fully paved and follows a former railway line, with no significant climbs. As route conditions can change, it is advisable to check the route’s current condition before setting out.
Conditions on the water are different: the approximately 13-kilometre canoe route runs from Raabs via Kollmitz to Eibenstein. The Thaya can be navigated in touring canoes when water levels are favourable, provided that nature and environmental protection requirements are observed. Check the water level before setting off and plan your trip with these requirements in mind.
Swimming and Sauna
The Thayatal Vitalbad has a sports pool, a leisure and relaxation pool, and a dedicated children’s water area with a slide and children’s pool. The facility also has several saunas and a steam bath right by the Thaya. If you’re planning a swim or sauna visit, it’s worth checking the latest information from the Thayatal Vitalbad beforehand.
Discover more destinations: Karlstein an der Thaya, Waidhofen an der Thaya, Dietmanns, Vitis, GroĂź-Siegharts, Waldberg.
Back to the main travel overview: Waidhofen an der Thaya.
