Schloss Grossau, Renaissance castle in Raabs an der Thaya, Austria.
Schloss Grossau is a Renaissance water castle with four wings situated in a river valley in Raabs an der Thaya. A sturdy square tower topped with a tent roof rises at its southwestern corner, while water ditches surround three sides of the structure.
The structure first appeared in written records in 1204 as a fortress overlooking the Thaya River. The 16th century brought a major transformation when it was redesigned as a water castle with its current appearance.
The courtyard and surrounding structures show how people in the Renaissance period organized a noble residence with both defensive and domestic spaces. Walking through the grounds reveals the blend of function and status that castle life demanded at that time.
You can reach it via Schloßgasse in the old town of Raabs an der Thaya, with parking available nearby. Wear sturdy shoes if you plan to explore the water ditches and uneven outdoor areas surrounding the structure.
During World War I, the castle served as a civilian internment camp in 1914, holding prisoners from enemy nations. Among those detained here was Stanislaus Joyce, brother of the famous author James Joyce, who spent several months confined within its walls.
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