The town’s position and role in the historical development of the region

Its position as a frontier post opened up special opportunities for developing of trade and business for the town in times of peace, as Radkersburg was situated at the crossroads of important trade routes. One trade route led from the Graz area via the customs station of Sicheldorf-Steinabrueck/Koehida/Gederovci to Hungary. From the Luttenberg area another route led over the Radkersburg Mur Bridge to Hungary. Therefore an inter-regional trade centre developed, which has left its economic stamp on the east and south-east of the region to this day.
The pillars of trade were iron, salt and wood coming from upper Styria, and these were transported to the lowlands, whereas Hungarian cattle, honey, wax and wine travelled in the opposite direction.
The river Mur was an important transport route in the Middle Ages. Iron and salt were transported down the river Mur on boats and rafts. Above all, construction timber was carried down to the lowlands on rafts. The “Niederlagsrecht” (right of entrepôt) meant that in upper Styria boat and raft people were not allowed to go further than Radkersburg in times of peace, and had to deposit their goods in the town for at least three days. The “Niederlagsrecht” was therefore by far the most important privilege of the Radkersburg bourgeoisie, because any on-going transport was under their control.
Because of its particular geographical position, Duke Frederick I granted Radkersburg freedom of customs and toll tariffs for its trade in goods over land and water. The town had demanded a toll for all the traffic on the river Mur since 1450. Barges and rafts loaded with goods also had to pay a “landing fee”. When necessary, supplies for military operations to Croatia had to be organised. After the victory of the battle on the Kahlenberg in 1683, Radkersburg played an important role as a supply base because provisions, food, ammunition etc. were transported by water.
Another important privilege of the bourgeoisie was the issue of the first rights to wine in 1428. Thanks to this privilege, Radkersburg was able to fix the prices in the most important wine-growing areas of Styria and had the monopoly of the wine trade. The Kolomani market (autumn fair) became the most important wine market in Styria and its influence reached far beyond the country’s borders, with traders even attending it from Salzburg and southern Germany.
In 1498, Radkersburg was in second place behind Graz with its tax revenue.
Trade along the Mur and the political-military interests of the reigning people in the south-eastern areas were a deciding factor for the significance of the town of Radkersburg. In the 18th century, the conflicts with the Ottoman Empire ended, and therefore also the importance of Radkersburg as a fortified town. The significance of the Mur as a trade route diminished at the same time. A growing interest in the north-south trade relations with the Adriatic, improved roads and the railroad, which allowed transport with capacities previously unheard of, made the Mur shipping route economically unprofitable. The period of industrialization did not leave any signs on the town either – mostly because of the unfavourable position and the lack of infrastructures. From 1842, a garrison existed again in Radkersburg, and that is how the former flourishing trading town turned into a typical provincial garrison town of the monarchy in the 19th century.
In the 1880’s, a national conflict grew up, mainly concerning the question of language in schools, offices and courts and political representation. The language of the bourgeoisie of Radkersburg was generally German. On the other hand, servants and the farming people in the surrounding villages mostly spoke Slovenian. The nationality conflict escalated politically and militarily during the First World War. After the fall of the monarchy, Radkersburg was occupied by SHS troops (Serbs, Croatians and Slovenians). With the “Freischar” uprising in February 1919 and the creation of the frontier of 1920, the nationality conflict became more virulent than ever. The peace treaty of St. Germain meant that Radkersburg became a border town.
During the Second World War, the nationality problem was carried to extremes by National Socialism. The result of the politics of the pan-German Empire was not only the destruction of the town – only four houses out of 321 remained undamaged, but also an atmosphere of mistrust which also lingered afterwards, forming the character of the border population, both on this side of the border and beyond.
The re-opening of the Mur-Bridge on 12th October 1969 as the result of a joint project between Austria and Yugoslavia, marked a new beginning. The bridge is a symbol of the efforts to bury old conflicts and build up good neighbourly relations. With the breakdown of the Eastern Block, and Slovenia gaining its sovereignty (1991), the neighbouring states of Hungary and Slovenia now have the possibility of joining the European Union. Thanks to its geographical position, for Bad Radkersburg this could be an opportunity for actively helping to create a Europe of regions.
Further development of the town of Bad Radkersburg and the region came about from the increase in tourism based on a detailed analysis of the mineral water springs in the town park. This was followed by the spa being built. After specific research, the thermal springs were opened in 1978 and after this the thermal baths were extended using a modular system. With its spa and recreation resort, Radkersburg attracted 500,000 visitors a year in the late 1990s.