Burgruine Kollmitz

About the museum

Kollmitz stands on a rocky spur surrounded by the Thaya, about four and a half kilometres southeast of Raabs. An older castle on the opposite bank was abandoned in the 13th century; on the hill encircled by the river, a modest noble residence was built first, first mentioned in 1293. Around 1321 the lords of Wallsee-Drosendorf expanded it into an impressive castle with a keep about 25 metres high.

In the 15th century, in response to firearms, the extensive outer bailey and the so-called Bohemian Wall were added, which blocks off the mountain ridge a few hundred metres in front of the castle. The lords of Hofkirchen, associated with Kollmitz from 1411, had residential wings built in the Renaissance style around 1580. After the Counter-Reformation the owners changed; in 1708 Kollmitz passed to the lordship of Raabs, the administration moved to Raabs Castle, and the castle fell into decay. By the second half of the 18th century it was already a ruin.

In 1974, on the initiative of Theo Laube, the association for the preservation of the Kollmitz ruin was founded. With the help of the local population, clubs and fire brigades, the walls were secured, the two towers made accessible again and in 1978 a small exhibition was set up. In 1994 the association bought the ruin and handed it over to the municipality of Raabs. Today the complex, with its upper castle, outer bailey and Bohemian Wall, is among the most impressive castle ruins of the Waldviertel.

Highlights

• Keep (around 1321) and Hungerturm (Hunger Tower) to climb, with views into the Thaya valley
• Around 350 m of the outlying “Bohemian Wall”
• Exhibition on the life and work of the cartographer Georg Matthäus Vischer
• Finds from the restorations: stove tiles, dressed stones, stucco
• Jausenstation (rustic snack inn) in the ruin

Permanent exhibition

• Leben und Werk von Georg Matthäus Vischer (1628–1696) – Small show about the Tyrolean priest and land surveyor who mapped Lower Austria around 1670 and in doing so drew the oldest views of many castles. Also finds from the restorations and information on the building and ownership history of Kollmitz.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Verein zur Erhaltung der Ruine Kollmitz

Admission & discounts

With the Niederösterreich-CARD, free admission once to the museum and towers.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The ruin is about 4.5 km southeast of Raabs an der Thaya. On foot from Raabs via the Ritterweg (circular trail, about 11.5 km) or the Silbersteig; by bike via the “Thayarunde”.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Jausenstation in the ruin, May to October Friday to Monday and on public holidays 10 am–5 pm in fine weather; groups please register.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The Jausenstation in the ruin is available for parties, weddings and birthday celebrations.

Plan your visit