Description of the attraction
The city of St. Radegund is located in the eastern part of Austria, 130 km south-west of Vienna and 15 km north-east of Graz, at the foot of the Scheckl mountain with a height of 1,445 meters, in the upper reaches of the Rabnitzbach River, a tributary of the Raab. St. Radegund was founded in the 6th century by Slavic tribes. Nowadays it is a popular resort, whose mild climate and healing springs have been known since the days of the monarchy. The official foundation date of the resort is considered to be 1841, when the doctor August Demelius turned to the authorities for permission to create a thermal complex here and engage in hydrotherapy. Most of the 22 local sources were discovered in the 19th century. Some of them are named after the ladies of high society who supported the St. Radegund health resort. Here you can find the springs of Berta, Melanie, Katarina.
The main sacred building of the city is the parish church of Saint Radegund, erected in the late Gothic style in 1490-1513. It contains valuable Gothic frescoes. Also in St. Radegunde is one of the most beautiful Calvaries in Austria. The Way of the Cross consists of 22 stations, which are neat chapels, and ends at the church, which stands on a dais. The Kalvarija complex includes the Holy Staircase, which pilgrims climb on their knees.
In the town you can see a large massive tower built in the Romanesque style. It is designed for meteorological observations. Also among the attractions of the city of St. Radegund are the ruins of Ehrenfels Castle. This fortress was first mentioned in written sources in 1229. It was owned by the Erefelsern lords of Graz. The ruins are privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside.
