Reichenau Castle

Reichenau Castle in Reichenau an der Rax was first mentioned in a document in 1256, when noble servants of the Lords of Pitten-Klamm acquired the ownership rights.

These ownership rights were further sold to the Fallbach brothers in 1311. Duke Otto the Merry bought the dominion of Reichenau and the castle in 1333 and gifted the castle to Neuberg Abbey.

The Cistercian monks resided in Reichenau for over 450 years. Due to the favorable climate, several Neuberg abbots often spent long periods at Reichenau Castle.

In 1784, the dominion of Reichenau passed into the ownership of the Innerberger Hauptgewerkschaft, which used the castle as an official residence and dwelling for high-ranking officials.

The last owner, Margarethe Bader-Waissnix, established a foundation in 1992 for the benefit of the municipality of Reichenau. The purpose of the foundation is the establishment of a cultural center. In accordance with this foundation, Reichenau Castle was the main exhibition venue for the Lower Austrian State Exhibition in 2003. Also in 2004, a large railway exhibition celebrating "150 Years of the Semmering Railway" under the motto "Fascination Semmering Railway" was shown.