Schlossberg, Graz

On the hill (Schlosberg) stands the great landmark of Graz, the 28m/92ft high Clock Tower (Uhrturm; 1561, clock 1712). It is a survivor of the massive fortifications which were blown up in 1809 after the Treaty of Vienna, and now houses the Schlossmuseum. The nearby Turkish Well (Türkenbrunnen) is 94m/308ft deep. The Belfry (Glockenturm, 1588) on top of the hill is 35m/115ft high and contains a heavy bell (nearly eight tons), popularly known as "Liesl".The Clock Tower is famous for its one uncommon feature - an hour hand that is longer than the minute hand.

In the 19th C. the land in Graz formerly taken up by the old fortifications was made into a park. An open-air theater was constructed in 1949, with boxes in the old castle walls.

In a Graz tunnel used as an air raid shelter during the last war there now runs a miniature railroad 600m/650yds long, the Märchengrottenbahn ("Fairytale Grotto Line").

The Garnisonsmuseum in Graz is located in the Schlossberg. It is of interest to military enthusiasts.