Sub Terra Vorau

Useful Information

Location:	Augustiner Chorherrenstift Vorau, Vorau 1, 8250 Vorau. (47.4011675, 15.8882854)
Open:	Only after appointment. [2025]
Fee:	Adults EUR 20, Children (6-16) EUR 5. [2025]
Classification:	Erdstall
Light:	helmet with headlamp provided
Dimension:
Guided tours:	D=3 h, Min=5, Max=20.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Anmeldung: Tel: +43-3337-235131. E-mail: Tourismus Info, Bahnhofstrasse 80, 8250 Vorau, Tel: +43-3337-2508- E-mail: Sub Terra Vorau, Hans Schweighofer, Cell: +43-664-3118884. Johanna Hirt-Schaunigg, Cell: +43-664-88385004. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

In the area around Vorau some 792 artificial tunnels were discovered and surveyed during the last decades. As a result the club Sub Terra Vorau was founded to protect them. Because of the enormous public interest, they offer tours into some of those structures. Those tours also include the visit to the museum, which is located in the Waldlturm in the Augustiner Chorherren Stift Vorau.

The area is full of megalithic remain, underground structures, menhirs, and rocks with holes. These tunnels date back to the Neolithic Age, and the Erdställe were dated to between 10,400 and 10,900 years old using TCN dating carried out by the Karl-Franzens University of Graz and Purdue University (USA). It should be noted, however, that dating is very difficult, because Erdställe have no archaeologically usable contents. Unfortunately, the cavity itself cannot be dated. Unfortunately numerous of those were destroyed or made inaccessible. The rocks and menhirs were removed by farmers, because they were in the way. The tunnes were filled in, either for security reasons or to gain additional space. The non-profit club Sub Terra Vorau tries to open and document such objects. They also made a few accessible for tourists.

Most of the objects are Erdställe, underground tunnels with no logic reason or use. Unfortunately those objects are typically quite small and low. A visit is obviously not possible for people with claustrophobia.