Kollmitz/Raabs

In the 14th century the castle of Kollmitz was in the possession of the barons of Hofkirchen. These powerful lords owed their high standing in particular to the support of the emperor. Kollmitz and the other fortifications functioned as a border protection against Bohemia. The construction of the ‘Bohemian rampart’ in the front end of the castle served as a ready response to new types of firearms. This was to be tested later when the King of Bohemia, Jiří z Poděbrad, came to attack.

During the times of the Reformation, the lords of Hofkirchen counted as the leading representatives of Protestantism, with the parochial church in Aigen being one of its centres. Even though privileged as a sovereign, Wolfgang von Hofkirchen stuck unwaveringly to Protestantism. The Catholic imperial court considered that to be treason and had him arrested. There were also further dramatic events linked to the nobility. Johann Adam, the son of Wilhelm I, baron of Hofkirchen, was accused of the murder of the castle lord of Raabs, in conspiracy with his brother-in-law.

In 1926 the castle of Raabs became the scene of a fatal romantic drama. The baroness Sybille von Spiegelfeldt, spouse of the castle lord Hugo Klinger, ended the rivalry between her lover and her husband by committing suicide.

Her grave can be found at her favourite spot in the front end of the Kollmitz castle ruin. It may be precisely the expansive view to the open skies above the walls and towers that continues to attract visitors to the ruins.