Kollmitz Castle Ruins, Raabs an der Thaya, Austria

Kollmitz Castle is a ruined castle east of Raabs an der Thaya in Lower Austria. The castle was first mentioned in the 13th century and the construction of its main tower was completed in 1319.

In the 14th century the castle was used as a district court with ownership changing often. In 1411 the Freiherr von Hofkirchen came into possession of the castle, whose family would control the castle for the next two centuries. The Hofkirchen family lost possession of the castle in 1611 when Wolfgang von Hofkirchen died in exile in Prague during the Habsburg’s Counter Reformation, which saw him as a ringleader of Protestant nobility.

Following the end of Hofkirchen control, the castle changed hands several times and may even have been abandoned. In 1708 the Castle was acquired by Franz Anton von Quarient und Raal under whom the castle fell into disrepair as it no longer could serve any practical purpose.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Катя Рудь (7 months ago)
Very interesting ancient place! My son was very happy, he likes medieval castles. For 5 euro you can get the map and 2 keys for towers. The views, galleries, caves, old towers are amazing. Light fitness for the mom ?

Petr Matula (8 months ago)
A very nice ruin. For an adult, the entrance fee is only €2. Family 5. And you will receive a printed guide in Czech. Ascent to 2 towers with a great view.

Robert Falbesoner (11 months ago)
Impressive ruin. We were all alone there and could let our thoughts run free. What might have happened here?

Roxanne Schmidt (2 years ago)
Very nice castle ruins located in a rather remote area, that offer adventurous walks and outlooks or the surroundings. Some of the ascending or descending stairs are steep and might get slippery during bad weather, so be sure to bring good shoes. Definitely worth seeing with children, but be careful they don't slip. The highest tower can be climbed by lending a key from the shop. Small snacks can be bought there too.

Manfred Tschannerl (3 years ago)
Starting from Raabs / Thaya, walked the Ritterweg, length approx. 12 km. In the course of this hike you will pass the Kollmitz ruins. Also well worth seeing as a ruin with great views of the Thayatal. In front of the ruins of Kollmitz you pass the Bohemian Wall.

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Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians. The county became a privileged refuge for persecuted Cathars.

The castle, often besieged (notably by Simon de Montfort in 1211 and 1212), resisted assault and was only taken once, in 1486, thanks to treachery during the war between two branches of the Foix family.

From the 14th century, the Counts of Foix spent less and less time in the uncomfortable castle, preferring the Governors' Palace. From 1479, the Counts of Foix became Kings of Navarre and the last of them, made Henri IV of France, annexed his Pyrrenean lands to France.

As seat of the Governor of the Foix region from the 15th century, the castle continued to ensure the defence of the area, notably during the Wars of Religion. Alone of all the castles in the region, it was exempted from the destruction orders of Richelieu (1632-1638).

Until the Revolution, the fortress remained a garrison. Its life was brightened with grand receptions for its governors, including the Count of Tréville, captain of musketeers under Louis XIII and Marshal Philippe Henri de Ségur, one of Louis XVI's ministers. The Round Tower, built in the 15th century, is the most recent, the two square towers having been built before the 11th century. They served as a political and civil prison for four centuries until 1862.

Since 1930, the castle has housed the collections of the Ariège départemental museum. Sections on prehistory, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval archaeology tell the history of Ariège from ancient times. Currently, the museum is rearranging exhibits to concentrate on the history of the castle site so as to recreate the life of Foix at the time of the Counts.

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