Graz Austria. Sights of Graz: photos and description. Winter Palm Garden
The administrative center of Styria and the second most populous city in the country, Graz www.graztourism.at lies in the very place where the waters of the Mur burst out of the spurs of the Glaia Alpe onto the plain.
According to archaeological finds, a settlement existed on this site during the Bronze Age, but the city as such was founded in the 5th-6th centuries. n. e. with the arrival of the Slavic tribes, who built a small fortification here, Gradec (in Slovenian the city is still called Gradec). The German name Graz began to be used in 1128, when the Babenbergs turned the city into an important commercial center, and in 1281 it received special privileges from King Rudolf I, becoming an outpost of the nascent Austrian empire in the southeast. In the 14th century, Graz Schlosberg Castle became the seat of one of the branches of the Habsburg dynasty, from where they ruled Styria, Carinthia and part of the territory of modern Italy and Slovenia. In 1585, Archduke Charles II founded the Karl-Franzens Universitat here (at different times Kepler, Schrödinger and Tesla worked here, and now 37 thousand students study here - more than 12% of the city's population!) and built dozens of beautiful buildings in the Italian style (the city is considered a place the emergence of Baroque on Austrian soil). The impregnable citadel of Graz was more secure than Vienna, so the city benefited greatly from the influx of military architects, mercenaries and aristocrats during the Turkish wars. Powerful fortifications allowed him to avoid capture by the enemy - Schlosberg (founded in the 12th century) was the only fortress in the region that was never captured by the Turks (however, this did not prevent Napoleonic troops, who also failed to take the citadel by storm, from blowing it up after the surrender of the entire country ), the city suffered little during the Second World War. Therefore, now Graz is considered one of the most colorful settlements in the region, combining both numerous ancient monuments and traces of various cultures.
Attractions
Most of Graz's attractions are concentrated on the eastern bank of the Mur River, around the triangular Hauptplatz square and the surrounding streets Herrengasse, Sporgasse and Sackstrasse, forming the historical core of the city. Once upon a time, the Schlosberg fortress towered over this place, destroyed in 1805, but now only the Urturm clock tower (XIV century) and the Glockenturm bell tower (XII-XIV centuries) have survived from it, around which a pleasant park stretches (you can get here as follows: on foot or on the special Schlossbergbahn funicular).
In the surrounding old quarters you can also see the colorful town hall (XVI century, one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in Austria), the Arsenal (Zeughaus, 1642) with the world's largest collection of medieval weapons (more than 30 thousand exhibits), Landhaus Palace ( 1557-1565, seat of the Styrian Parliament), the beautiful bell tower of the Stadtpfarkirche church (XVIII century), the labyrinth of narrow streets around the Stempfergasse leading to the tomb of Ferdinand II (1614), the Domkirche cathedral (XII-XV centuries) and lying just east of the residence of Frederick III - Burg Castle (1438-1453). Also good are the beautiful City Park on the site of the city fortifications destroyed in 1784, the exhibition pavilion Forum-Stadtpark lying in its very center, the “painted house” Gemaltes House (painted in 1742), the medieval Burgtor gate on the Hofgasse, Sorau Palace ( XVII century) and the Styrian Folklore Museum on Paulustorgasse.
In 1999, the entire historical core of the city was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Also noteworthy are the Episcopal Palace, the Herberstein palaces (17th century, now home to the New Art Gallery), the Künberg mansions (birthplace of the “unlucky Archduke” Franz Ferdinand, now home to the excellent City Museum www.stadtmuseum-graz.at) and Attems (today the headquarters of various festivals), the modern exhibition center Dom im Berg, or “Cathedral on the Mountain” (practically under the ruins of Schlossberg Castle), the Gothic church of Lechkirche (XIII century) that belonged to the Teutonic Order (13th century) in famous for its bars and cafes in the university district (there are four universities in the city), the Herz-Jesu-Kirche church (1881-1887, the largest church in Graz and the third tallest spiers in Austria), the botanical gardens on Zinzendorfstrasse and the famous Opera (Opera House) on Kaiser-Josef-Platz, where the Opern-Reduit ball and the "Christmas in Styria" celebration take place in January.
To the west, on the other bank of the Mur, are the City Art Gallery (Kunsthaus Graz, 2003), the modern cultural and exhibition complex Murinsel on an artificial island in the middle of the river, the beautiful Maria Hilf-Kirche church (XV-XIX centuries) and the Baroque castle Schloß-Eggenburg (1625) with three historical and archaeological collections. On the north-eastern outskirts of the city rises the baroque basilica of Mariatrost (XV-XVIII centuries), considered one of the most beautiful in Styria, and on the north-western side are the ruins of Göstling Castle, from which the most beautiful panorama of the tiled roofs of the city opens.
Among the collections of Graz, guests are usually recommended to visit the Kunsthaus Museum of Modern Art, the Styrian Museum (including the Museum of Applied Arts with a rich collection of tin and iron objects), the Museum of Forensics, the Museum of Aeronautics, the Alte Galerie with a large collection of medieval art, and the Octagon complex ( originally a bathhouse, and these days - a rather unusual Museum of Perception).
Around the city
One of the most interesting collections of Styria - the Austrian Open Museum (Osterreichisches Freilichtmuseum) - is located 18 km north of Graz, between the villages Stubing(Stubing) and Enzenbach. Here on an area of almost 4 square meters. km, more than 90 examples of village architecture from all over the country have been collected, bakeries, forges, grain storage facilities and other “everyday infrastructure” have been carefully recreated. You can also visit the Gestut stud farm of the famous Lipizzaner breed in the village Piberegg(Piberegg) and the Hundertwasser-designed St. Barbara's Church in Barnbach(Barnbach, both north of the city of Köflach, 40 km west of Graz).
The city lies 40 km south of Graz Leibniz(Leibnitz) with Seggau Castle, built by the archbishops of Salzburg in the 13th century, the Baroque Frauenberg Church on the site of a Roman sanctuary and the ruins of the Roman city of Flavia Solva in the suburb of Wagna. 20 km southwest of Leibnitz, in the village Groskline(Grossklein), there is a small but very informative Hallstatt Museum, entirely dedicated to Celtic culture.
10 km south of Leibnitz lies a small village Ehrenhausen(Ehrenhausen), overlooked by a 16th-century fortress that served as the main outpost of numerous campaigns of the Dukes of Eggenberg against the Turks. And in the village itself a church from the 16th-18th centuries has been preserved. with the graves of Christoph von Eggenberg and his family (Christoph's son Ruprecht rests in the elegant mausoleum that dominates the village from the south and is accessible by stairs from the southern end of the village square).
And to the west of Ehrenhausen, the picturesque vineyards of Styria begin, united by the Weinstrasse tourist route. The castle is worth a visit here Gamlitz(Gamlitz) in the town of the same name with an excellent wine museum, as well as first-class vineyards in the valleys Zultal(Sulztal) and Rach (Ratsch). However, routes through Styrian wineries are not limited to Weinstrasse alone - there is also Schilcherstrasse from Steinz to Deutschlandsberg, Sausaler Weinstrasse along the slopes of the Sausal Gebirge mountain range west of Leibnitz, Sudsteirische Weinstrasse from Ehrenhausen and further along the Austrian -Slovenian border, as well as Klocher Weinstrasse from Bad Radkersburg to Fehring.
Start of your trip to Austria
In Graz, the first thing we did in the morning was look out the window and were disappointed by the gloomy sky. However, while we were getting ready, the sun came out, so we went for a walk in a good mood. In fact, today began our first full day of traveling around Austria, and we had a lot of plans.
First of all, we decided to find a place for breakfast and went to a cafe near the station on Europe Square, which we liked for its cozy interior. This cafe is located near the Trend Europa hotel, opposite the bike rack, which you can definitely see from the hotel or train station.
We ate a mega delicious bagel with mozzarella, tomatoes, arugula and pesto sauce, and drank cappuccino. In addition to the fact that everything was very tasty, the mood was created by a warm atmosphere, beautiful dishes and cheerful waiters. As it turned out later, one of the girls speaks Russian. In total, a very tasty breakfast cost about 15 euros for two, and we got the pleasure for all of 50 euros. It’s worth saying that last night we didn’t find any food, so we went to bed hungry.
While preparing for our trip to Austria at home, we collected information about the sights of Graz, and the maps and booklets we took from the tourist center helped us finally paint a picture of our route.
Our route around the city of Graz
Since Graz is located in a mountainous area, the weather can be unpredictable, so while the sun was shining, we decided to go to the observation deck on Mount Schlosberg. This place can be called the main attraction of the city, because on the mountain there is the symbol of Graz - the clock tower, which is part of the medieval fortress. Previously, on Mount Schlossberg there was a tower that gave the name to the city.
Now on the mountain, in addition to the clock tower, you can see the ruins and remains of the walls of the fortress, but much more impressive are the observation platforms from which you can see Graz.
To save energy, we planned to get to the fortress by tram, but due to the city marathon, the tram tracks turned into a treadmill, and we had to walk. We don’t regret at all that we walked an extra couple of kilometers, because we got to know the awakening city and saw the marathon in all its glory.
The marathon in Graz looks very funny. In the first hours, a huge number of people run, some with balloons tied to their butts, some with the face of a winner.
Every 500 meters, small stages were set up in the city, on which musicians played upbeat music, photographers with television cameras filmed reports, and in some places there were even commentators.
But 3 hours passed, the balls on the butt disappeared, there were 4 times fewer runners left, and in the neighboring cafes those who had dropped out of the marathon were recovering their strength with beer.
In general, on the one hand, it’s cool that we got to the marathon, but on the other, it changed our plans somewhat. We walked to the fortress through the city center. Coming out onto the embankment of the Mur River, we opened our mouths in amazement: the architecture of Graz, the stormy river, the golden autumn - all this together created an unrealistically beautiful picture.
Along the river we reached the funicular station (Schlossbergbahn), which takes tourists up the mountain in a matter of minutes. But how to cross the road when a herd of marathon participants is running along it? We modestly stomped along the road, then saw that other tourists were running across the street, waited until the flow of runners decreased and ran.
The funicular is located near the mysterious flying saucer restaurant on the Mur River (the saucer is called Murinsel) and departs from Haupt platz. By the way, if you have a three-day ticket for Graz, then the ride up the funicular is free, the main thing is to show your ticket to the cashier.
There are three ways to climb the mountain:
By funicular train
By elevator
In my opinion, it’s better to go up by cable car, follow the route of the mountain and go down on foot or by elevator, if you’re really lazy. That is, the funicular station is located on one side of the park on the mountain, and the elevator and stairs are on the other.
After going down the stairs, we went for a walk around the old town of Graz.
On the main square of Graz, Hauptplaz, there is the Town Hall, a fountain and picturesque houses. Hauptplaz is the real heart of the city. All paths and routes in Graz lead exactly here.
Of course, because of the marathon, most of the photos are not so ideal, but thanks to it, we felt the rhythm of the festive city, as if we had touched its real non-tourist life. We even took part in a marathon ourselves, only we ran across the streets rather than along them.
At the height of the marathon, while there were still many participants, we were unable to cross the road to the square, so we changed the route. First we walked along Herrengasse (which translates as “Street of Gentlemen”). Turning left into the inconspicuous Alstadt passage, we found ourselves in a quiet part of old Graz, on the Bell Square (Glockenspiel). It was called that because there was a famous brewery there, and people were invited to drink beer at the sound of a bell. Now three times a day, either people are called to drink beer, or the clock on one of the houses just strikes, and cardboard figures come out. This happens at 11am, 3pm and 6pm. On the facades of the houses, frescoes and stucco work are dedicated to brewing, so we couldn’t resist drinking beer.
Then we went to the Cathedral and the Mausoleum of Ferdinand II, where we met a Russian-speaking excursion group. And that was very helpful. Just a couple of days ago, Nina found reviews on the Internet about the guide Taisiya, who offers excursions around Styria in Russian. This has become important for us, because getting to the castles without a car is not comfortable, you have to make transfers, adjust to the transport schedule, and it’s not clear what the weather will be like. Taisiya wrote that she was free tomorrow, we agreed to the excursion, but we have not yet received a response from her. And Nina suspected that Taisiya was the guide. But we did not approach it, because the group very quickly disappeared around the bend.
The cathedral (built between 1438-1464) was closed on Sunday, which greatly upset Nina. As it turned out later, the Cathedral is generally closed to tourists, as it is privately owned. Next to it is the Burg (Castle), so we went to it.
From the outside it is an ordinary old building. Directly opposite the Cathedral, you need to turn into the courtyard (address Hoffgasse 15). If you cross the first courtyard and look into the first open door, there will be an ancient double staircase from 1499, which you can see absolutely free. This staircase is considered a masterpiece of stone sculpting art and dates back to the late Gothic period. I recommend climbing to the very top - from there you can see a wonderful view of the Cathedral.
You can't get into the building itself - today the Styrian Parliament meets in Burg.
After exploring the stairs, we enjoyed a stroll through the courtyards of the Burg.
Our legs themselves led us to a street with an old pastry shop, but on Sunday, apparently, Austrians don’t eat sweets; it was closed.
Further, we went down the street where restaurants and shops are located and again met a familiar excursion group. It turned out that it was really Taisiya, but she had doubts about the excursion and promised to call.
All the Russians went to the ice cream shop, and we wanted it too. I ate ice cream with poppy seeds, which is very exotic, but very tasty. And Nina, out of greed, grabbed two ice creams, but after a minute the second one began to melt, and it was not decent to throw it away. She ran out into the street, but there was no trash can there, so she had to seize the moment until the smiling saleswoman turned away and quietly throw one of them away.
At the end of our walk through old Graz, we decided to go to the Military Museum (Armoury) on Herengasse Street, where the richest collection of weapons in Europe is collected (about 30,000 units). A pleasant bonus from the marathon was the fact that admission to the museum is free today. So, having saved 8 euros, Nina could buy and throw away a couple more ice creams. We walked along the old Herengasse street of the city and looked into the courtyard of the Landhaus. In general, there are about 50 beautiful courtyards in Graz, so look behind the buildings while walking.
And this is the Street of the Lord, on which there are colorful houses.
The weapons museum is impressive in terms of the number of exhibits, but, in my profane opinion, they are very monotonous. Well, it’s the same thing if you take a man into a museum where there are whole rows of red shoes. Rows of identical guns, helmets and much more were also displayed here. Surely, men really like this museum. By the way, you can take an audio guide on the first floor.
Nina liked the horse in knight's armor on the top floor of the museum. In general, you can visit for general development.
We still had enough time to visit Eggenberg Castle in a remote part of Graz, but it was not accessible on foot. We sat sadly for 20 minutes at the bus stop, waiting for the bus that ran today instead of the trams. While we were sitting, we realized that he would not reach the castle, because the route had been shortened due to the marathon. Well... then let's go to lunch.
Around the corner from the cafe where we had breakfast (near the station), there is a tavern where locals sat. We quickly went there, sat down at a table and were amazed by the size of the portions that the waiters were carrying around the hall. I was also pleased with the menu, because the average price of a hot dish did not exceed 7 euros. Anyone who has been to Austria knows that for this country this is a very modest price. Again, out of greed, we ordered a lot of food, half of which we could not eat. I really liked the tomato soup, Nina ate goulash. For main course they brought me two huge Wiener schnitzels and a mountain of potatoes... it’s simply unreal.
In the evening, we didn’t find the strength to go anywhere, so we sat in the Ibis bar, drank tea and wrote entries for our favorite blog.
Tomorrow we plan to take a tour of the castles of Styria. Taisiya promised to pick us up from the hotel at 8-20, calling us on her mobile phone in the evening. She will take us somewhere, join us in some small group and bring us back. Hope...
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This amazing city has a really large number of attractions. The center of Graz is a historical monument, is of special cultural value and is protected by UNESCO. It is here that architectural monuments made in various styles are so harmoniously presented: Gothic, Baroque, Rococo and Classicism. You can admire this beauty endlessly. You will find Graz.
Arriving in this city, start your journey from the Main Square - Hauptplatz, which has the shape of a triangle. The place is truly amazing. The square was founded in the second half of the 12th century, with the city hall located in the center. The date of its construction dates back to the 17th century. You will be impressed by its Baroque decor and Renaissance frescoes.
Next, you can go to the Arsenal, which was built in the mid-17th century and houses a collection of just over 30 thousand pieces of historical weapons and armor. The oldest examples date back to 1551.
A fascinating place to visit is the Schlossberg Castle Mountain, which is over 450 meters high. There was a fortress here before it was destroyed by Napoleon's troops. The Clock Tower, built in the mid-13th century, remains today. From the heights of Schlossberg there is a beautiful panorama of the city.
Eggenberg Castle is rightfully considered the pearl of Graz. The castle's dome, made in Baroque style, has four towers, symbolizing the four seasons. The interior decoration, decorated with frescoes, is truly difficult to describe - it is so beautiful.
Other remarkable historical sites include Graz Castle (Burg), built in the 15th century in Gothic style and famous for its double spiral staircase, as well as the nearby Graz Cathedral and the Mausoleum of Ferdinand II.
You can talk about all the sights of the city for a very long time, because there are more than 30 of them. But the best solution would be a trip to this historical city full of charm to experience its unique atmosphere for yourself.
Restaurants and shopping
To appreciate the traditional cuisine of Styria, which is the name of the land on which Graz stands, you can go to one of the many restaurants in the city, which are mainly located very close to historical monuments. You can have a pleasant and fun time in numerous casinos, clubs and bars. In addition, Styria is known to the world for its aromatic wines. People who know a lot about wine come here as part of their “wine” tour. Another pearl of the amazing Styria region is considered to be oil obtained from pumpkin seeds, which is sold in shops in the city.
Herrengase is Graz's most popular shopping street. But besides it there are other large shopping centers, such as Kastner + Öhler (located in the city center), Shopping City Seiersberg and Shopping Center West (located on the outskirts of the city)
Festivals in Graz
Before you go to Graz, check out what festivals are happening at which time of the year. Maybe just during your visit a fun and colorful festival will be held in the city.
Festivals in the city are all themed. They usually last for a month. The most popular festivals take place in the summer (such as the May Spring Festival, July Serenata, Jazzsommer Graz) and in mid-autumn - the Schlossbergfestival. Under the autumn sky, concerts, theatrical performances, installations and performances take place in the squares. And all this is based on the music of jazz, techno and indie rock styles. During any of the festivals, concerts, parties and discussions take place on the streets of the city, and musicians representing various styles of music perform. At least 10 thousand people are going to take part in this event. The spectacle and atmosphere are mesmerizing, guests receive tremendous pleasure, a charge of vivacity and a great mood.
Prices in Graz
Travelers can stay in one of the many hotels located in Graz. A room in a two-star hotel costs from 500 rubles, three-star hotels provide rooms starting from 2,300 rubles, and a room in a more comfortable 4-star hotel costs from 3,500 rubles.
To get around the city cheaply, you can use the extensive public transport network. Tickets for 1 hour cost only 1.7 euros. A travel card valid for 24 hours can be purchased from the driver for 3.7 euros. And don’t forget about the most environmentally friendly form of transport - a bicycle. Its rental cost is 9 euros per day.
How to get to Graz
There are three ways to get to Graz: by plane, by train and by bus.
If you prefer to travel by air, you can take advantage of flights to Graz Airport, the distance to the center of which is 10 km. Flights operate from neighboring Vienna and Linz, as well as from the UK, Germany, Hungary and Croatia. But this type of transport is the most expensive. Coming to Graz from the airport will also not be difficult. You can get to the city, or more precisely to the Hauptbahnhof station, by bus or train. But it is worth noting that it is possible to rent a car at the airport.
The most convenient and inexpensive way to travel to the city is by train. They are all modern and very comfortable. For example, you can travel from Vienna for only 30 euros. The journey will take 2.5 hours. You can also travel by train from cities such as Salzburg (43 euros), Zagreb (31 euros), Ljubljana (31 euros), Budapest (43 euros). In addition, while traveling by train you will be able to fully enjoy the natural beauty, tunnels and ancient aqueducts.
Traveling by bus is not entirely convenient, since there is no direct flight from Vienna. You will have to use transit flights or postal buses.
One of the outstanding attractions of the city of Graz is the Mausoleum, which is a complex that includes the Church of St. Catherine and the tomb of the great Emperor Ferdinand II. It is located in the center of the historical part of the city, adjacent to the huge Cathedral, and the Burg Fortress is located nearby. The mausoleum consists of several buildings connected to each other.
On the site of the current temple there was an ancient religious building dating back to the mid-13th century and also dedicated to St. Catherine. The complex was erected by the Italian court sculptor and architect Giovanni Pietro Pomis at the beginning of the 17th century. The Italian influence is clearly visible in all the buildings - the carved, soft features of the facade and the beautiful oval domes over the tomb. Construction work was completed at the end of the 17th century under Leopold I.
On the roof of the temple there is an elegant monument to St. Catherine, on the sides of which there are figures of two angels. Directly in the tomb itself are the graves of Ferdinand II, his mother, his first wife and one of his sons. Every year this place attracts many tourists who want to enjoy this architectural landmark with their own eyes.
Town Hall
The “heart” of the Austrian city of Graz is the City Hall building, which is located on the central square of Haupplatz. The building was erected in 1803 on the site of the old dilapidated town hall. Compared to other local buildings, the Town Hall is considered a rather young building, made in the classicist style. Late in the evening and early in the morning, this structure is unusually austere and beautiful in the iridescent rays of the sun, but in the daytime it is significantly enlivened by numerous market stalls. Here you can buy national clothes, fruits and souvenirs at affordable prices. On the eve of the Christmas holidays, various Christmas fairs and bazaars are organized in front of the Town Hall.
This period begins in mid-November and ends one day before the celebration.
Currently, the Town Hall building in the city of Graz attracts many guests who want to enjoy the beautiful exterior and also get acquainted with the interior decoration. In addition, when you visit Haupplatz Square, you can admire the magnificent architectural structures of different eras. The positive emotions received from the excursion around the city of Graz will remain in your memory for many years.
What sights of Graz did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.
The Dome Cathedral
The Dome Cathedral is one of the most important architectural and historical monuments of the city of Graz, as well as the federal state of Styria. It was built in the classical Gothic style at the beginning of the 15th century according to the design of the architect Hans Nisenberger. The temple has ancient engraved inscriptions that indicate the stages of construction. In May 1443, Emperor Frederick III visited Graz to participate in the consecration of the monastery. Until 1574, the Dome Cathedral acted as the city's parish church. In 1615, a new beautiful sacristy was built here, which still captivates the views of tourists. In 1617-1667, four chapels were added to the temple, and in 1678 a crypt was erected under it, the central entrance to which was walled up in 1787.
In 1853-1854, unfortunately, the wonderful gallery that connected the cathedral with Graz Castle was destroyed. After the Catholic diocese of Graz-Schekaz was established, the monastery became its main cathedral. In 1962-1963, the interior of the Dome Cathedral was reconstructed according to the plans of the famous architect Karl Raimund Lorenz.
Graz Castle is located in the city of the same name in Austria. It was erected at the foot of the mountain in the middle of the 15th century, by order of Frederick III. The purpose of the construction was to strengthen the city’s defense on the eastern side. The style in which the fortress was built is late Gothic.
Subsequently, the castle was modified and expanded more than once. The dungeons of the fortress were connected by underground tunnels with Schlossber Castle and with the main cathedral of the city, and the castle itself was expanded and fortified with a bastion. In the 18th century, the emperor's residence was transferred to local officials and turned into a state institution. Due to the loss of the defensive function, many elements and premises of the castle related to defense and weapons were changed. During World War II, the castle was practically destroyed. After the war, the Graz fortress was partially restored thanks to major renovations, but restoration work is ongoing at the castle to this day.
Currently, Graz Castle is the seat of the government of the state of Styria. Because of this, inspection of the interior is not available, but entry to the castle territory is free, and this presupposes a free inspection of the common courtyard, courts and the famous spiral staircase, for which, as they say, many tourists come here.
Eggenberg Palace
Eggenberg Palace is a stunning site of Renaissance architecture in Austria. The castle has long been a princely residence, which is emphasized by the architectural appearance of the ensemble. The palace was built by order of Prince Eggenberg, which is where it got its name. This happened in 1635.
Today Eggenberg is a unique architectural ensemble reminiscent of the glorious historical past of Austria. There is a rich collection of paintings here (about 600 exhibits), as well as magnificent interiors. The space of the castle is amazing: 52 rooms, 24 service rooms and 365 windows. As you might guess, these numbers symbolize the astronomical year.
The palace houses an archaeological exhibition where you can see the unique Stretweg cult cart. It is also home to the Graz Art Museum, the oldest in Austria. You will be pleasantly surprised by the palace's furnishings, its historical past and art exhibitions. Come and plunge into the world of antiquity and fine art.
Main square Hauptlpatz
The main square of the city of Graz was first mentioned in documents in 1160. It is known that the square was the center of the city and at the same time its main market. From this place, the city was rebuilt and expanded, thanks to which now the square contains houses built in different architectural styles. In 1878, a fountain with a bronze statue of Archduke Johann appeared on the square.
House No. 1 on the square is the city hall, which houses the mayor's office. Opposite it is the Weiss House, built in 1710. Its façade is decorated with a fresco depicting the Virgin Mary and Child. Among all the houses on the square, B rgerhaus Zum groß en Christoph stands out. This is a five-story house, on the facade of which there is a fresco depicting St. Christopher. And not far from it, on the corner there is house number 11, decorated with rich stucco in the Baroque style. House No. 17 is a palace built in the 16th century that belonged to a family of wealthy merchants named St rgkh.
The part of the square between the fountain and the town hall is often used as a site for various fairs and festivals.
Are you interested in knowing how well you know the sights of Graz? .
Gezoise National Park
Gesoise National Park is located in Austria, or more precisely, in the state of Styria. The Enns River flows through the park, so Gesöise itself extends along its valley. The area of the park is 110 square kilometers, which in itself is not small, but it is planned to add another 15 square kilometers to them soon.
Gesoise is the youngest national park in Austria, founded on October 26, 2002. Now this national park is the third largest in the country. In general, Gezoise is located in a mountainous area, and therefore is notable mainly for its picturesque mountain landscapes and pristine nature. It is on its territory that the picturesque Mount Khokhtor is located, the height of which is as much as 2,369 meters. In addition, in this park you can find many rare plants and animals.
Gezoise is not deprived of historical attractions, among them, for example, the Benedictine monastery of Admont, founded by the Salzburg archbishops in 1074. This monastery is known all over the world, as it is there that one of the largest monastic book depositories in the world is located.
The most popular attractions in Graz with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Graz on our website.
Only Vienna, the capital of Austria, can surpass the size of Graz, located in the southeast of the country. Thanks to the many universities located in the city, Graz is a vibrant city. And the buildings in the Baroque style contrast perfectly with the courtyards of the 16th century and with the shocking monuments of modern architecture.
The old town, which is under UNESCO protection, is replete with works of architectural art. The Mur River, flowing through the city, rushes its streams to the picturesque countryside.
The main attraction of any city is its central square, and Graz is no exception. During the Middle Ages, this city was a center of trade, so fairs and a market were held here. And the traders themselves lived on trading floors. Nowadays, the architecture of the houses adjacent to the western part of the Main Square is reminiscent of the medieval fairs that took place on this site.
Since 1878, the fountain-monument has risen above the shopping stalls, which attract local dairy products, fruits, ice cream and even pumpkin seed oil. The monument itself is dedicated to the “Styrian prince” Archduke Johann (1782-1859). In 2002, the Main Square was redesigned by Graz architect Markus Pernthaler.
The large area in front of the town hall is now vacant and used for various events. In the evenings, warm indirect light highlights the impressive multi-colored facades of the Main Square.
Location: Hauptpl - 1.
The modern building of the Graz Town Hall was erected in 1805-1807. designed by Christoph Stadler. Money for construction was raised through the introduction of a tax on wine. Over time, the Town Hall was expanded, and now it is a four-story building with a facade in the old German style. It is decorated with allegorical statues of “Art”, “Science”, “Trade” and “Industry”.
Location: Hauptplatz.
A corner of Northern Italy right in the center of Graz. In fact, the Landhaus is reminiscent of some Venetian palazzos. In 1557, the Italian architect Domenico dell'Alio began building a prestigious building for the Styrians. Not only the main facade of the building is impressive, but also the arcade of the Renaissance-style courtyard does not leave tourists indifferent.
Often people simply stand in amazement as soon as they enter a spacious courtyard for the first time. Arcades on all three floors of the building, copper gargoyles from the 16th century, and a bronze fountain are all works of architectural art. The interior of the Landhouse is decorated with Baroque style furniture. The meeting room stands out thanks to the stucco ceiling made by Johann Angelo Formentini.
The turquoise domes tower over us like a mausoleum and, together with the cathedral and the Church of St. Catherine, define the magnificent view of the city. In 1614, Emperor Ferdinand II commissioned his court Italian artist and architect to build a mausoleum next to the Church of St. Catherine. But it was only under Ferdinand’s great-grandson Leopold that the interior decoration was designed.
Location: Buergergasse.
Another street in Graz that is really worth a stroll. Walking from the main square to the funicular station, tourists are on the street of arts. Here you can find antique shops, galleries, jewelry stores, workshops, museums that offer works of art, both ancient and modern. On the same street is the famous German store Kastner&Öhler.
Sporgasse is a large pedestrian area and a busy shopping street. Unnoticed, it has become a paradise for ice cream lovers: a sea of shops offering the most exotic flavors of the cold dessert. In addition, Footlocker (sports shoe store), Geox (stylish shoe store), Swatch (Swiss watch store), etc. are located here.
This attraction was built in 2003. The unusual shape of this building differs from the usual museums of modern art, which are designed in the modernist “White Cube” style.
Affectionately dubbed "The Friendly Alien" by its creators Colin Forner and Peter Cook, the enormous building stands out from its surrounding landscape of Baroque buildings. This museum does not have long-term exhibitions. Its exclusive goal is to find and present works of contemporary art.
Location: Lendkai - 1.
The hill is covered with trees and is now a public park so that any tourist can enjoy an expansive view of the city. On the territory of this park, anyone can taste local cuisine in cafes and restaurants. As for the historical past of Schlosberg Castle, in the mid-16th century, according to the design of Italian architects, a fortress with a height of 400 meters.
It is noteworthy that no one was able to conquer this castle in all 5 centuries of its existence, but it was seriously damaged by the Napoleonic army in 1809. Today, the park area includes a clock tower, a bell tower, a small fountain and two bastions of the old castle.
It was built in a medieval style and attracts tourists not only with its appearance, but also with the opportunity to look at the entire city from a bird's eye view. Thanks to the fact that the townspeople paid a ransom to Napoleon in 1809, the tower was left intact and unharmed. The hands on the clock are quite unusual due to the fact that the large hand shows the hours and the small hand shows the minutes.
It was built by order of Archduke Charles II in 1588. Inside is the famous bell of Graz, which is called the bell of the Turks. The bell strikes 101 times a day, since it itself was cast from exactly 101 Turkish cannonballs.
The Eggenberg is the most significant Baroque building built in the state of Styria. It is located on the western border of Graz. In the northern part of Eggenberg there is the Planetary Garden and the Lapidarium of Roman stonework. Moreover, in the same part of the palace, visitors can visit the Archaeological Museum, which displays many historical objects, including the Stretweg Cult Cart. This palace is considered one of the most valuable places in Austria due to its extensive picturesque gardens, exhibits of the Johanneum Universal Museum, etc.
Location: Eggenberger Allee - 90.
In the 15th to 18th centuries, the federal state of Styria was the front line in the long conflict with the Ottoman Empire, as well as in the fight against uprisings in Hungary. Accordingly, the army needed a large amount of weapons and a place to store them. In 1642-1645 the Arsenal of Styria was built by the Tyrolean architect Antonio Solar.
Today, this museum is considered the world's largest historical armory, which attracts tourists from all over the world. It stores about 32,000 types of weapons, tools, armor for battles and parades.
Location: Herrengasse - 16.
This pilgrimage church is located on the top of the Purberg hill (469 m) in the northeast of Graz. Anyone can reach the basilica by climbing about 200 steps of the Angelus Staircase. This church was built in the Baroque style. The two front towers and the dome, which are visible from a long distance, are the main attributes of the basilica. The church was built over 10 years from 1714 to 1724.
Location: Kirchpl. - 8.