Sights in the city of Graz (Austria): where to go, what to see. Open left menu Graz Graz Austria
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 Zulthal(Sulztal) and Rach (Ratsch). However, routes through Styrian wineries are not limited to Weinstrasse alone - there is 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.
general information
By the end of the 14th century, Graz was the crown jewel of the Habsburg Empire. Frederick III, King of Germany, Duke of Austria and Holy Roman Emperor, immortalized the abbreviation of his motto - AEIOU, or "Austria Est Imperare Orbi Universo" ("Austria shall rule the world") on some of the city's buildings. At the beginning of the 19th century, Duke Johann founded the first museum in Austria, determining the direction of cultural development for many years.
Graz has a large natural history museum, but perhaps the more interesting museum is the Arsenal, with a stunning collection of over 30,000 weapons, mostly dating from the 17th century. There are many museums in Graz, but the city itself can hardly be called a museum exhibit. After all, there are three universities here.
Tourists are attracted by the city's architecture. Among the attractions is the remarkable palace and its courtyard in the Italian Renaissance style, with three-tiered arcades. Schlossberg Castle, a baroque Eggenberg palace built in the 17th century.
The city has a magnificent cathedral, the Domkirche, with unusual paintings on the outside dating from the 1480s, and next to it is the Baroque mausoleum of Ferdinand II.
Graz has long been a city of students, with four universities with more than 50 thousand students. In 2003, Graz was the European Capital of Culture. The Domkirche church and Schlossberg castle, together with the city's tiled roofs, give Graz its special charm. In 1999, the center of the Old Town of Graz was declared world-class by UNESCO.
Graz has developed industries such as brewing, mechanical engineering, chemicals, food and textiles. The International Graz Fair is an important commercial and industrial event in south-eastern Europe.
Graz, located in southeastern Austria in the state of Styria, is the second largest city in the country. This city is an organic combination of developed industry and natural beauty (green parks, a river flowing through the city, a mountain), pompous palaces in the Renaissance and Baroque style - and ultra-modern architectural structures.
How to get to Graz
By bus
GKB buses operate routes to Deutschlandberg (11 EUR, 1 hour). Most buses depart from Griesplatz station, some from Hauptbahnhof station. Postal buses run from Hauptbahnhof throughout the Styria region. Prices on the page are as of November 2018.
By train
Trains run from Vienna to Graz every 2 hours (cost 35-50 EUR, travel time 2 hours 38 minutes). Trains depart from Salzburg every 2-3 hours, and tickets cost 24-70 EUR (travel time 4 hours). International trains to Graz depart from stations in Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary: from Zagreb (3.5 hours), Ljubljana (3.5 hours), Budapest (5.5 hours) and Szentgottthard (1.5 hours).
By plane
Graz Airport is located 10 km from the city center. In addition to domestic flights from Vienna and Linz, aircraft from Germany and the UK fly into the local airport. From the airport you can get to the city by train or bus, getting to the Hauptbahnhof station.
Search for air tickets to Vienna (the nearest airport to Graz)
Transport in Graz
You can get around the city by trams and buses. The ticket costs 2.40 EUR and is valid for 1 hour; A daily ticket costs 5.30 EUR and can be purchased from the driver. Weekly or monthly tickets can be purchased from tobacco kiosks, street vending machines or tourist offices.
A bicycle can be rented for 10 EUR per day from the Bicycle rental office (address: Körösistrasse 5).
Weather in Graz
Thanks to its location southeast of the Alps, Graz is protected from the prevailing westerly winds blowing from the north Atlantic. Due to this, the weather in Graz is largely under Mediterranean influence. Therefore, there are more sunny days a year than in Vienna or Salzburg, and there is less rainfall.
Trip to Graz
Kitchen
You can try traditional Austrian cuisine at the Landhauskeller restaurant (Schmiedgasse 9). An exotic option is Aiola Upstairs on the observation deck on Mount Schlossberg, it is located in a glass pavilion with a large outdoor terrace and gives its guests amazing views of the city and surrounding area. A few steps from Schlossberg Castle there is the Altsteirische Schmankerlstubn restaurant, specializing in traditional Styrian cuisine (Sackstrasse 10).
Maps of Graz
Guides in Graz
Popular hotels in Graz
Shopping
Herrengasse is considered the main shopping street in Graz. The largest shopping center in Graz, Kastner+Öhler, is located in the very center of the city. There are also several malls on the outskirts of the city: Shopping City Seiersberg, Shopping Center West, Murpark.
In Graz, you should definitely buy Kernöl pumpkin seed oil, which is the highlight of the Styria region.
Entertainment and attractions in Graz
The historic center of Graz combines buildings of various eras and architectural styles - from Gothic to modern - and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. The most outstanding monuments of Graz are the Schlossberg castle on the mountain and its part - the Urturm clock tower, which has become a symbol of the city.
Murinzel Island Bridge
In Graz, on the Mur River, a unique bridge-island Murinsel was built, designed by American artist Vito Acconci after the city received the title of European Capital of Culture in 2003. Murinzel looks like a high-tech floating platform, partly open, partly glazed, which is connected by passages to the banks of the river. This giant “sea shell” is 50m long, 20m wide and can accommodate up to 350 visitors. During the day it looks just like an unusual structure, but in the evening and at night they turn on bluish lighting, and waves are reflected in the glass fragments of the bridge, and the lights of Murinzel are reflected in the water. Inside there is a cafe and a children's maze playground.
Art Museums
In 2003, another object appeared, which became another symbol of Graz - by the way, it is located not far from Murinsel. Kunsthaus Museum of Contemporary Art(Kunsthaus) attracts attention with its appearance alone. The building is built in an unusual blob style, which suggests that the buildings should be amorphous, reminiscent of amoebas. There are luminous parts installed on the façade, and at night you can see changing installations on the walls. Due to its ultra-modern form, the Kunsthaus received a second name - “Friendly Alien”. Exhibitions are constantly changing; all information about current exhibitions and schedules can be found on the Kunsthaus website (in English).
Neue Galerie Art Museum In addition to the work of contemporary artists, it also stores earlier works (starting from the mid-19th century). The collection of the New Gallery includes canvases and installations made in a variety of styles - from realism to Art Nouveau and conceptual art. Here you can see both a permanent exhibition, including works by famous masters such as Klimt, Schiele, Kokoschka, and very interesting temporary exhibitions. This museum also supports young, lesser-known artists. Details about projects and gallery opening times can be found on the Neue Galerie website (in English).
What else to see in Graz:
- the Landhaus state parliament building, built in the Renaissance style;
- Mausoleum-tomb of Emperor Ferdinand II, erected at the beginning of the 17th century;
- Graz Castle, located near the Cathedral of St. Egidio,
- Eggenberg Castle on the outskirts of Graz, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Events
The largest annual festivals in Graz are:
- Spring Festival(May or June) - five-day major festival of electronic music, art, design and technology. The timings change every year; the current dates and program can be viewed on the festival website.
- Styriarte, or "The Art of Styria" (end of June - end of July) - a classical music festival that lasts a whole month. Jazz and klezmer performances will be added in 2018; a detailed program can be found on the Styriarte website (in English).
- Jazzsommer Graz(July-August) - a jazz festival with a 20-year history.
- Steirischer Herbst (September) is Europe's oldest contemporary art festival (held since 1968). It brings together art, music, performance, dance, theatre, literature, architecture and public debate.
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 in 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 same Taisiya in 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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Graz is a city at the foot of the Schlossberg mountain, the capital of Styria. Graz is unique in the beauty of its architecture and surrounding landscapes. It is the second city in Austria in terms of population.
Graz, photo Christoph K
Graz is the capital of Styria, a wonderful city at the foot of the Schlossberg mountain. It is the second city in Austria in terms of population. Graz is unique in the beauty of its architecture and surrounding landscapes. The city began with a small fortress on a hill. In the 6th century, “Gradec” arose here, built by a Slavic tribe. This name was later transformed into "Graz".
Gradually, the city grew under the mountain. The first mentions of Graz appear in documents from the 12th century. At that time it was already the capital of Styria, an important center of trade. The fortress wall around the city was built in the 13th century. Since 1282, the history of Graz has been inextricably linked with the Habsburgs.
The city experienced religious unrest and wars. During World War II it was seriously damaged, but the historical center was almost not destroyed. Since 1999, the historical core of Graz has been included in the UNESCO register.
My reports
Schlossberg Castle
Mount Schlossberg, photo by Hope238
Schlossberg Castle stood on a mountain, half a kilometer above the Old Town. Little remains of the ancient fortress now. The top of the mountain is crowned by the 34-meter Bell Tower; to the north of it, vaulted casemates have been preserved (in their courtyard there is an open stage). At the very top of the Schlossberg is the Schlossbergplatz square with a café and panoramic views; Nearby is the surviving Steel Bastion. The ruins of medieval bastions are found throughout the climb up the mountain.
On the southern slope stands the massive Uhrturm Clock Tower with a tetrahedral roof and huge painted dials. The original clock mechanism is preserved in the tower. The upper part of the building is surrounded by a covered wooden gallery along the perimeter.
Funicular Schlossberg
You can climb to the top of the mountain by elevator or on foot, overcoming 260 rock steps (this staircase is called “Russian” - it was built by our prisoners of war in 1918). You can also get there by cable car - this is the most convenient way to get up. The Schlossberg funicular has been welcoming tourists with new carriages since 2004. The funicular route was built in 1894. The train departs from the Franz Josef Quay.
Arsenal, photo Martin Ladstaetter
The Arsenal (Landeszeughaus) is the most important landmark of Graz. The Baroque building was built in 1642 according to the design of the Italian A. Solari. The Armory Chamber's collection is unique - it is the largest in the world and contains more than thirty thousand historical weapons. The Graz Arsenal armed 16,000 soldiers in the 16th century; the city then managed to resist the advance of the Turkish army.
Town Hall
Graz Town Hall, photo Mundus Gregorius
Graz Town Hall (Graz Rathaus) stands in the southern part of Hauptplatz. The 19th century building was built in a historical style, topped with three domes. The portico of the main entrance is decorated with four statues symbolizing Art, Science, Commerce and Craft.
House Luegg
Lueghaus, photo ssssss.si
The Luegg-Haus is located on the corner of Hauptplatz and Sporgasse. This is the most elegant building in the main square. Its facades are decorated with openwork stucco, and the lower floor is pierced by arched galleries. Once upon a time, merchants placed their goods in them, and now a Swarovski store is open on the lower level of the Luegg house.
Landhaus, photo Paul McClure
Landhaus is a Renaissance architectural complex designed in the spirit of Florentine palazzos. It is located behind the Town Hall building, next to the Arsenal. The building was built by Domenico Allio. The Landhouse consists of several buildings, between which are courtyards with Tuscan galleries. The large courtyard is used for receptions, concerts and performances.
Sackstrasse, photo Josef Lex
Sackstraße, located north of Hauptplatz, is known for its antique and jewelry shops, art galleries and workshops, studios and cafes. In Graz they call it the “Mile of Art”.
Sporgasse
Former inn “At the Golden Pie” on Sporgasse, photo by Yardski
Sporgasse is an old narrow street running along the foot of the Schlossberg mountain. Here stands the beautiful Renaissance-Baroque Palace of Saurau (Palais Saurau). Here, in building No. 10, is the House of the German Order (Deutschritterordenshaus). Sporgasse has the best clothing stores in Styria.
Saurau Palace was built in 1566 and restored in 1998–99. The building has four wings, three floors. The courtyard is fenced with arcades and paved with large cobblestones. Openwork wrought-iron gates lead into the courtyard. In the window above the arched entrance portal you can see a wooden figure of a Turkish officer with a saber.
Gratsky Castle
Graz Castle (Grazer Burg) is a 15th-century castle located northeast of Hauptplatz. Until 1619 it was the seat of the Austrian court. Today the government of Styria sits there. The building preserves a late Gothic spiral staircase built in 1499.
Bakery "Edegger Tax", photo rg443
Hofgasse street is famous for the family bakery "Edegger Tax". The portal and facade of the first floor of the building are decorated with rich carved wood inlays. The company has been selling Styrian baked goods since 1569.
Opera House, photo McAroni
The Opera House (Opernhaus) stands in the center of Graz, on the Opernring boulevard. The neo-baroque building was built in 1899. This is the second largest and largest theater in Austria - it has 1,800 seats.
Bell Square
Glockenspielplatz, photo Paul McClure
Glockenspielplatz – Bell Square. For more than a hundred years, two figures have appeared from the window of the clock tower in this square, dancing to the sound of bells. Three times a day, the puppet show takes place to different tunes.
Cathedral
Cathedral of Sant'Egidio, photo Josef Lex
The Cathedral (Grazer Dom) or Cathedral of St. Egidius (Kathedrale, Bischofskirche und Pfarrkirche Hl. Ägydius) (1438–62) stands in the southern part of the city. The facade of the church is decorated in the Gothic style, the interior is made in the Baroque spirit. The main altar, painted with scenes from the life of St. Egidia is considered one of the outstanding examples of the Austrian religious baroque style. In 1614 the cathedral was built. His project was created by Pietro de Pomis on behalf of Ferdinand II.
Winter Palm Garden
The Winter Palm Garden was built in 1995 on the territory of the greenhouses of the botanical faculty of the university. It was created by the famous architect Volker Ginke. The glass building is made in a futuristic style and consists of three connected curved parabolic cylinders. Plants from four climate zones are planted inside the greenhouse.
University of Graz
Karl-Franz University of Graz, photo Josef-Lex
University of Graz (Karl-Franzens-Universität), founded in 1585. It is the second largest university in the country, the largest and oldest in Styria. The University of Graz is divided into six faculties.
Peasant markets
Peasant market, photo NadiaBE
The peasant markets of Graz are located in the historical center. Kaiser-Josef-Market is located on the square of the same name. Flowers, fresh fruits, vegetables, natural products, and fresh baked goods are sold here. There is also a farmers' market on Lendplatz. In the markets you will find true Styrian specialties: red green beans, the unique pumpkin oil “Steirisches Kübiskernöl”.
Casino, photo Victor Fuchs
The casino on Landhausgasse has been operating since 1984. The gambling club is open daily; it offers guests of Graz a classic casino, jackpot and slot machines.
Eggenberg Castle, photo www.textbox.at
Eggenberg Castle (Schloss Eggenberg) has existed since the 15th century. It was built according to the plan of Prince von Eggenberg, who wished to symbolically reflect the image of the world order in his estate. The most expressive room of the architectural complex is the Hall of the Planets in the rococo style. The palace is surrounded by a picturesque English park.
Gallery of Contemporary Art – Kunsthaus
Kunsthaus, photo Manfred Moitzi
Among the many museums in Graz, it is worth highlighting the Kunsthaus gallery of modern art (Grazer Kunsthaus), opened in 2003. Under the “roof” of the building, designed in the form of an outlandish luminous fish or an alien ship, all kinds of exhibitions and events are held.
Festivals, entertainment
The city hosts annual festivals. In September-October, the Styrian Autumn (Steirischer Herbst) venues gather lovers of media art, modern painting, literature, cinema - more than 50 thousand spectators. In May, the Spring Festival is held, which attracts pop culture lovers. Classical lovers visit Graz in June, when Styriarte, a festival of classical music, takes place. At the end of summer, jazz fans are invited to the Jazzsommer Graz festival.
The most popular nightclub in Graz is Fledermaus, decorated in medieval Gothic style. Music of different styles, a large dance floor and a good cafe can be found in the PostGarage club. Latin American rhythms, concerts and master classes by famous dancers await you at Cohibal Graz.
At the Piber farm, photo archaeologist_d
40 kilometers from Graz is the Piber Stud Farm. Here snow-white Lipizzaners are bred and first training is carried out. The farm supplies horses for the legendary “Spanish School” of the Hofburg.
Stübing Freilichtmuseum, a museum of national culture, is located half an hour from Graz. The authentic atmosphere of antiquity is recreated here: peasant houses from different Austrian lands, an old school, craftsmen's workshops, a real water mill.
The stalactite caves of Lurgrotte are located near the town of Peggau. The network of underground labyrinths stretches for 25 km. 2 km of caves are open to visitors and equipped with walking trails and lighting.
Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger can go to the town of Tal-Graz - the actor’s homeland. There is a Schwarzenegger museum there. The atmosphere of his childhood and youth is recreated in the house, there are many personal and family items - there is even little Arnie's original crib.
Trains leave for Graz from Wien Hbf, which is easiest to reach from any part of Vienna by metro. Your line is U6. On the metro map it is brown. Trains to Graz leave every hour. The train leaves at 09.03, 10.03, etc.
One piece of advice. The train ride is quite interesting, you will pass many tunnels and aqueducts. And so that the view from the window does not consist of a piece of a mountain, take seats on the left side along the train. And when leaving Graz, on the contrary, on the right. Then you will fully enjoy the beauty.
You can ride the trams between Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz stops completely free of charge. And also one additional stop in any direction, for example, to Schlossbergplatz or Kunsthaus.
Tourist ticket for 3 days for €11.60
Quite a good offer! Valid for 3 days from the moment of composting. Includes all urban transport of the central zone 101 (single and double digit route numbers), funicular, S5 train, buses 630 and 631 to the airport. It also gives minor discounts to some museums. Read more.
Additionally, you can carry two children under 15 years old.
You can buy it at the information center, at the funicular ticket office, at the Spar store, or at ticket machines.
City transport tickets (for 1 zone in the center)
- 1 hour – €2.20
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