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Graz Austria

INTRODUCTION

Graz is the second-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Styria. A popular student city, Graz is home to 6 renowned universities which host over 44,000 students. The historic city of Graz counts among the best preserved city centers in Europe, with numerous beautiful buildings and courtyards. In 2003 Graz was awarded the title of "Cultural Capital of Europe". The city is located on the Mur River, in the southeast of Austria. Graz is a green and heavily forested area, with several parks and green spaces. The city park, a huge park in the center of Graz, which is a favored meeting place for young people to relax and chill, is the biggest. During the summer the city park hosts many concerts and other events.

HISTORY

The name of the city, and some archaeological finds, point to the erection of a small castle made by South Slavic people, which over time became a heavily defended fortification. The German name "Graz" was first used in 1128. During this time dukes under Babenberg rule turned the town into an important commercial center. In the 14th century Graz became the city of residence of the Inner Austrian line of the Hapsburgs. The royalty lived in the Schlossberg castle and from there ruled Styria, Carinthia, parts of today's Italy, and Slovenia. From the earlier part of the 15th century Graz was the residence of the younger branch of the Hapsburgs, which succeeded to the imperial throne in 1619 in the person of Emperor Ferdinand II, who moved the capital to Vienna. New fortifications were constructed on the Schlossberg at the end of the 16th century. In 1797 Napoleon's army occupied Graz; the city withstood several assaults by the French army until 1809, when the Grande Armee conquered Vienna and the Emperor ordered a surrender. Following the defeat of Austria by Napoleonic forces at the Battle of Wagram in 1809, the fortifications were demolished using explosives, as stipulated in the Peace of Schönbrunn of the same year. The belltower and the civic clock tower, often used as the symbol of Graz, were allowed to survive this fate after the people of Graz paid a ransom for their preservation.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The city’s landmark is the Uhrturm, an ancient clock tower located on top of Schlossberg, a 475 meter hill in the center of Graz.

Public transportation consists of trams and buses, as well as night buses for late hours. The cheapest option for visitors is to get either a daily ticket or a ticket of ten.

Climate: Milder, less windy climate compared to many other regions in Austria, with a lot of sunshine throughout the year.

ATTRACTIONS

Graz is known for its beautiful old town, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999 because of the harmonious coexistence of typical buildings from different epochs and in different architectural styles. Today the old town consists of over 1,000 buildings, their age ranging from the Gothic to the contemporary period. Some of the most important buildings include: the City Hall, the Dome, the Opera, and the Landhaus.

The Kunsthaus, the museum of modern art, attracts visitors for its unique architecture (it has the form of a huge blue bubble) as well as its spectacular contemporary arts exhibits. Another outstanding modern construction is the Murinsel, an artificial island in the Mur River, which includes a trendy café and an open-air stage.

An absolute must is a visit to the Schlossberg, where you will have a wonderful view of the roofs of the city. You can walk up the stairs, take the elevator inside the mountain, or go up with the funicular railway.

There’s also a number of interesting museums, such as the Landeszeughaus (a large medieval armory) and the Mausoleum (the burial place of Emperor Ferdinand II). A little further off the city center is Schloss Eggenberg, a beautiful Baroque palace on the western edge of Graz with state rooms, gardens, and museums to visit.

If you are interested in a little walking tour, you should walk up the Ruine Gösting, the hilltop castle ruins on the northwestern edge of city, which offers a great view of the city.

Attach:Graz_countryside.jpg Δ During spring and fall, you should go on a trip into the countryside, the Steirische Weinstrasse, a wine growing region south of Graz, also known as the "Styrian Tuscany". There are a lot of great wine restaurants where you can enjoy a variety of traditional Austrian dishes.

RESTAURANTS

Erzherzog Johann: A fancy Austrian restaurant that is known for its beautiful interior--a winter garden filled with all kinds of plants.

Landhauskeller: One of the most famous restaurants in Graz, where you can choose between a variety of Austrian specialties.

Santa Clara: This restaurant is a must for gourmets, it offers international cuisine with a nice French touch.

LODGING

Erzherzog Johann: An excellent hotel located at the Hauptplatz in the heart of the old town.

Hotel Europa: This hotel is centrally located at the train station, offering all the amenities of an international four star hotel with a typical Austrian flair.

Grand Hotel Wiesler: This fancy hotel features a splendid Austrian Art Nouveau façade. It is located just seconds away from the medieval district of the city.

Das Weitzer: The Hotel Weitzer is a stylish and luxurious property located on the banks of the Mur River in the old town, close to the famous clock tower.