Easy hikes and walks in Gwandenwald

The monastery dates back to a foundation by Margrave Ottokar III of Traungau and his wife Kunigunde in 1163, out of gratitude for the birth of the long-awaited heir. Margrave Ottokar subsequently handed over his Styrian possessions between Wechsel and Masenberg to the Archbishop of Salzburg Eberhard I., who sent Augustinian canons from St. Rupert's Cathedral to settle. In 1237, the complex was destroyed by fire and rebuilt shortly thereafter.

At the Vorauerhof, you can indulge not only in typical Styrian and Austrian specialties, but also in international delicacies and new creations. Daily menus, homemade cakes and desserts, and a wide selection of ice cream from Easter until the end of September complete the culinary offerings. The restaurant seats approximately 40 people. The light-filled conservatory, with space for 50 people, is particularly popular and perfect for small celebrations. During the summer months, guests can enjoy a centrally located beer garden. For larger celebrations or groups, such as weddings, christenings, birthdays, or company parties, the banquet hall (for approximately 110 people) provides the perfect setting. Following the philosophy "The future has tradition," the restaurant is constantly evolving while remaining true to its ancestors' original traditions and placing great emphasis on a personal touch. Whether you're looking for a cozy meal, planning a large celebration, or simply want to unwind – let yourself be pampered!

The biker hangout in the heart of Vorau! The Zwoa Radl café-pub in Vorau is always worth a visit. There's never a dull moment at the Zwoa Radl, because with its diverse events, there's always something for everyone! The Zwoa Radl also caters to all appetites and thirsts!

At six stations that symbolically connect Vorau Abbey with the market town, this themed trail (part of the "Styrian Literary Trails of the Middle Ages" network) retells the captivating "Vorau Novella" and illustrates it with magnificent images from medieval manuscripts. The connections surrounding the Vorau Literary Trail are as follows: The Vorau Novella was likely written around 1200 in the Alemannic region – by whom, however, remains unknown. What is certain is that the 13th-century copy in the Vorau Abbey library is the only one to have survived, but even this record is incomplete: it breaks off mid-text, leaving the ending to our imagination. Clues to the story's conclusion are provided by the Latin version of the same work, which has also only survived in Styria, namely as the so-called "Reuner Relationen" in Rein Abbey. The theme of the so-called Vorau Novella—namely, the unbridled pursuit of happiness by two escaped monastery pupils—seems like a precursor to the Faustian tale: We hear of a magic book, a kind of pact with the devil, of lust and grave sins with subsequent pangs of conscience. The exceptionally high thematic demands of the work are matched by its masterful language. Gripping imagery and lively dialogue still captivate us today. It quickly becomes clear that the Vorau Novella's plot does not symbolically refer to distant times and unknown places. Rather, it addresses us as well!

"But perhaps the time is not yet ripe for that (...) so that one day they do not bring misfortune on each other and their peoples. And if they do so anyway, may the good Lord decree that at least afterwards, when the misfortune has already been done to them all, they will find their way to each other and make peace in this world once and for all." writes Otfried Preußler (he preferred to describe himself as a storyteller) in "The Flight to Egypt. Royal Bohemian Part". Although these lines originally refer to the German and Czech inhabitants of the Kingdom of Bohemia, which formerly belonged to the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, this statement is actually both timeless and universal.

Seegasthof Breineder

The market church of St. Ägydius in Vorau was consecrated in 1202. From 1237 to 1783 it was designated as a parish. The choir square, above which the mighty square tower rises, has been preserved from the Romanesque building. In the middle of the 14th century the church was expanded to include the Gothic choir. Around 1700 the nave was expanded to the north and was equipped with a baroque ceiling painting “Holy Trinity” by Johann Cyriak Hackhofer (1708). The restoration work carried out in 1998 affected the ceiling fresco, the Romanesque choir square (original structure) and the High Gothic choir room. Source: Wikipedia

Described on signposts as a heroes' cemetery. It is not known whether only heroes are really buried here. In any case, it is a quite impressive military cemetery.