Graz - the second largest city in Austria - is comfortably located in the south-west of the country. The grandeur of the Renaissance and Baroque architecture, combined with modern buildings, gives it a special charm. What sights of Graz you need to see, read the article below.
Graz Clock Tower
The clock tower is one of the main symbols of the city. It is she who is most often captured on commemorative postcards and magnets with views of the Austrian city. This attraction is located on the Schlossberg mountain, offering the best panorama of Graz. The first mention of the tower dates back to the 12th century, but historians do not exclude that its age is older.
The clock tower is decorated with an old clock from 1712, however, the mechanism in them had to be changed. Three old bells hang in their places. One of them still beats the time, but it dates back to the 13th century.
During the Napoleonic campaigns, the architectural structure was preserved only thanks to people's love. After the order of the French emperorto demolish it, the people paid a large ransom, so that the symbol of Graz would remain with them.
Eggenberg Castle
One of the most famous residences in the country, a UNESCO site, the largest residence in southwestern Austria - all this is about Eggenberg Castle. In 1625, Prince Eggenburg ordered the construction of a manor, embodying his high status. Unfortunately, the construction was completed after the death of the prince, but to this day the castle is the most important attraction of Graz (photo below).
In 1666, the walls of the building were decorated with 600 paintings that are still available for viewing. A hunting museum and a gallery of old masters are open on the territory.
The prince's passion for astrology is known, so the garden has 12 gates (similar to the number of months of the year), the castle has 24 service rooms (hours of the day), 52 rooms (weeks of the year) and 365 windows (days of the year).
The park and gardens of Eggenberg Castle are open for walks from 8.00 to 19.00, in the winter months until 17.00, the gallery and museum are open from 10.00 to 17.00 during the season, and in winter only by appointment. The castle chambers can only be entered with a guide.
Legendary Battle Museum Graz
The Graz Arsenal is an important place on the city map. If you plan to see the sights of Graz in one day, be sure to visit this museum.
The arsenal, built in the 16th century, originally had the function of a warehouse, so that the townspeople could quickly take armor and weapons in the event of an attack by the Ottoman Empire. The 4-storey building was built in the Baroque style, and it is decorated with Roman gods.wars and battles - Mars and Minerva. Inside the arsenal are magnificent wooden vaults and galleries.
This landmark of Graz is considered one of the largest collections of weapons in the world. In the museum you can see exhibits from the first primitive tools to the first firearms.
Knightly armor, horse harness and musical instruments that once accompanied battles and campaigns are interesting. The museum is family friendly.
Architectural highlight of Graz: Gesting Castle
On the northern outskirts of Graz there is an ancient building - Gesting Castle, built in the 11th century. It is considered destroyed, but for its age it has been perfectly preserved. Initially, it served as a strategic place defending the city from the Turks and Hungarians. But the explosion of gunpowder in 1723 destroyed a large part of the buildings. At the foot of the mountain, the owners of the castle built New Gesting in the Baroque style.
Getting to the ancient castle is easy - there are convenient paths from the Castle Square to the top of the mountain. The tourist will spend about half an hour on the ascent. There is a tavern on the mountain where you can have a hearty lunch and look at the surroundings.
Fans of architectural monuments should see another attraction of Graz - the Saurau Palace. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, built in the Baroque-Renaissance style. The palace is decorated with finely crafted wrought iron gates, and the courtyard is lined with cobblestones, popularly called grack dumplings. In the castle itself, a tourist canadmire the Renaissance arcades.
Heart of the city - Hauptplatz
If you want to explore all the main sights of Graz (Austria) in one day, start from its center - Hauptplatz. Arriving here, you can see the town hall building. It was rebuilt several times and even planned to demolish a couple of nearby houses built in the late Middle Ages. The townspeople stood up and defended the true appearance of Graz, the buildings remained intact.
On Hauptplatz, a 16th-century pharmacy is worthy of attention, as well as the Johann Fountain. It is decorated with four figures of women, symbolizing the four main rivers of this land.
Tired tourists in the square can find a cafe with local cuisine and good drinks.
Natural attractions of the city: Lurgrot
If you are tired of seeing the majestic monuments of architecture, then go 25 km from the city. There you can take a look at the natural attraction of Graz (Austria) - the largest grotto in the whole country. In 1894, it was discovered by the researcher M. Brunello. And in the same year, 9 people were walled up in the cave due to underground flooding. They were saved, and Lurgrot immediately became famous throughout Austria.
Traveling through the grotto is better to start from Zemriah. In addition to fantastic underground landscapes, you will see the thickest hanging stalactite, a huge hall called the Great Dome. The ceiling height in the hall is 40 meters! The Grotto of the Rain leaves a very strong impression, which is also highlighted for greater persuasiveness.
Researchersfound near the grotto the remains of the site of ancient people - Neanderthals. This means that the natural attractions of Graz in Austria are at least 50 thousand years old. Going here (especially in the warm season), remember that the air temperature in the depths of the cave does not rise above +10 °C. Take care of your clothes.
Hikers should visit the Barenschutzklamm gorge. The main thing is to do it between May and October. The trail goes through a very beautiful area, along the Mur River and through its waterfalls. Plan on a round trip of at least six hours.
Tal village near Graz
Just three kilometers from the city there is another interesting place where there is something to look at - the village of Tal. Its main trump card is the picturesque lake Thalersee, where people go fishing and boating in summer, and skiing and skating in winter.
Tourists go to the village to look at the unusual church of St. Jacob. It was built in the 18th century and modernized at the end of the 20th century. The artist E. Fuchs added a glass building to the old church tower. The gravel path that leads to the annex is symbolic, as St. Jacob was a pilgrim and their patron.
The altar, the walls and the floor inside are made of crystal glass, it shimmers fantastically beautifully. The floor, by the way, symbolizes the Sea of Galilee.
25 km from Graz is another beautiful and popular place for tourists - the city of Frohnleiten.
This is a quiet and photogenic town. A good solution would be to rent bicycles and ride through the quiet streets,marveling at the local beauties.
Legend of modern urban planning: Kunsthaus
The art gallery building in Graz is known far beyond the city. The blue biomorph building looks like either a floating ball or a zeppelin and invariably attracts the eyes of passers-by. The form of the gallery is interesting, but its design is also innovative. The sights of the city of Graz (Austria) are mainly ancient buildings. The authorities wanted to receive the title of European Capital of Culture.
There is no permanent exhibition in the art gallery, the exposition changes periodically there. A variety of exhibitions (paintings, sculptures, design, photographs) are held here. Cultural events are also held in the Kunsthaus.
Under the roof of a fantastic building is an observation deck that overlooks the historic part of Graz. The upper part of the Kunsthaus is the lighting elements controlled by the computer. An installation of light rings informs city residents and tourists about the exhibitions taking place in the gallery. Also, the top of the building has nozzles pointing north to receive sunlight. One nozzle is aimed at the main attraction of Graz - the clock tower.
