Discover Vorau: Abbey, Museums and Walking Trails

Vorau combines the history of the abbey with cultural attractions and walking trails, each with its own focus. When planning your trip, you can choose between architectural history, tours of selected interiors, literary stops, museums, and trails through forests and meadows. This gives you a clear picture of the themes that could shape a stay in Vorau—from the history of the abbey to regional cuisine.

Vorau Abbey: Its Founding and Present-Day Complex

Vorau Abbey was founded in 1163; the present-day abbey complex was built in the 17th and 18th centuries. These two dates describe different aspects: 1163 marks the abbey’s founding, while the later centuries saw the construction of the present-day complex. This provides a clear timeline of the abbey’s development. Guided tours show visitors the church, sacristy and library. If these interiors are to be a highlight of your visit, check the current tour schedule before you travel.

Two Routes with Different Itineraries

The Augustiniweg runs from Vorau Abbey via Schafleitn and Amtmann Höhe to Masenberg. This clearly identifies the starting point, intermediate stops and destination. The Dörflweg follows short stretches of road, passes through forests and across meadows to viewpoints, then returns to Griesplatz in the centre of Vorau. This gives you a clear distinction when choosing between the two: the Augustiniweg focuses on the sequence of the named stops and Masenberg as its destination; the Dörflweg is defined by its changing sections, viewpoints and return to Griesplatz. You can use these features to decide which route best matches your interests.

Literary Trail and Museums

The Vorau Literary Trail links the abbey with the market town of Vorau at six stops. It retells the “Vorauer Novelle” and is illustrated with images from medieval manuscripts. The trail therefore offers a different focus from architectural history and the interiors: its main themes are a story and historical imagery. If you would like to include literature and manuscripts in your travel plans, the trail offers a clearly defined way to do so.

The Vorau Open-Air Museum includes the “Marotti” Rauchstubenhaus, dating from 1706. It is furnished with the complete contents of a typical house from eastern Styria. The Sub Terra Vorau Museum is located in the Waldlturm within the abbey grounds. The two museums can be distinguished as follows: “Marotti” focuses on the named farmhouse and its furnishings, while the Sub Terra Vorau Museum is defined by its location in the Waldlturm.

Cuisine of Eastern Styria

A regional specialty of eastern Styria is Brettl-Jause, available at Most and Buschenschänken taverns. This adds a regional culinary focus to the history of the abbey, literature and walking trails. If you would like to include regional food in your travel plans, Brettl-Jause is a specific option to consider.

Discover more destinations: Altenmarkt Bei Fürstenfeld, Loipersdorf Bei Fürstenfeld, Hartberg, Bad Waltersdorf, Pöllau, Wenigzell, Mönichwald, Tiefenbach Bei Kaindorf.

View the regional travel overview: Hartberg-Fürstenfeld.