Graz Attractions
The old capital of Styria and Austria's second largest town, Graz is the economic and commercial focus of the whole region. It lies on the River Mur, which here emerges from a narrow defile to enter the fertile basin known as the Grazer Feld.
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Provincial Arsenal
To the south of the Landhaus on Graz's Herrengasse will be found the Landeszeughaus (Provincial Arsenal, 1642-44), with a unique store, completely preserved, of 17th C. arms and armor, including items from the time of the Turkish wars (equipment for 28,000 men, including armor, helmets and state weaponry).
The arms, armor and state weaponry often include excellent examples of the textile arts.
The arms, armor and state weaponry often include excellent examples of the textile arts.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 20:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Austrian Open-Air Museum at Stübing
At Stübing, on the right bank of the Mur by way of the northwestern suburb of Gösting (18th C. Schloss), will be found the very interesting Austrian Open-Air Museum (Österreichisches Freilichtmuseum), with old peasant houses, barns and mills from the various Austrian provinces. It can be reached from Graz by bus. 10km/6mi further north, at Peggau, is the Lurgrotte, a stalactitic cave through which flows a small stream.
Hours
March 26 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
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Graz Cathedral
(Castle and Cathedral District)
The Cathedral in Graz features a Late Gothic architectural style coupled with a distinctly Baroque interior.
Joanneum Provincial Museum of Styria
To the west of Graz's Platz am Eisernen Tor, in Neutorgasse, is the Landesmuseum Joanneum, endowed by Archduke Johann in 1811. The collections, spread over several floors, include a natural history department (geology, zoology, botany, etc.), and one devoted to art and applied art. The latter, known as the Alte Galerie, has some magnificent exhibits, including the Admont Madonna (c. 1320), the Lambrecht votive tablets (c. 1440), Baroque sculptures and paintings.
Landhaus
On the Herrengasse (No. 16) in Graz stands the Landhaus, built in Renaissance style in 1557-65 by Domenico dell'Allio. Once the meeting place of the old Styrian Estates, it now houses the Styrian County Council. The main facade is dominated by rounded windows and a loggia; the arcaded courtyard has three-storied pergolas on two sides and a Renaissance fountain, while in the Knights' Hall there is a splendid stucco ceiling of 1746.
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Piber Stud Farm
The Piper Stud Farm is well-known for its finely bred Lipizzaner horses which are trained to perform at Vienna's Spanish Riding School.
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Schloss Eggenberg
A short distance west of Graz is the Baroque style Schloss Eggenberg which is identified by its four towers.
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Schlossberg
Schlossberg Hill in Graz is the site of many interesting attractions. Amongst these is the landmark Clock Tower, an open-air theater, the Garnison museum and a miniature railroad known as the Fairytale Grotto Line.
Castle and Lock Museum
The castle and lock museum at Wiener Strasse 10 in Graz should be visited in combination.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 9:00 | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 12:00 |
Convent of the Brothers of Mercy
In Graz, several bridges lead over the river to the districts on its right bank. There stands the Convent of the Brothers of Mercy (Kloster der Barmherzigen Brüder), with a church built in 1769.
Diözesanmuseum
The Diözesanmuseum in Graz has a number of religious displays.
Graz Diözesanmuseum
Mariahilferplatz 3
A-8020 Graz
Austria
Mariahilferplatz 3
A-8020 Graz
Austria
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Fischer von Erlach Birthplace
To the right of the Graz town parish church, in a street named after him, will be found the house in which the great Baroque architect Fischer von Erlach was born in 1656. He designed the high altar in the church of St Catharine and in the mausoleum in Graz.
Franciscan Church
To the west of the Graz main square is the Gothic Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche), founded by the Minorites and later owned by the Franciscan order. Its west tower was added in 1643, and the Late Gothic nave has a ribbed vault ceiling. The Chapel of St Anthony inside, separated from the church proper by a Baroque grille (1650) and a pietà (c. 1720) on the altar are worth seeing.
The Franciscan church is one of the prime attractions in Graz.
The Franciscan church is one of the prime attractions in Graz.
Hauptplatz
In the middle of the Graz Old Town on the left bank of the Mur lies the Hauptplatz (main square), with a statue of the popular Archduke Johann (1782-1859) who did much to encourage industry to come to this backward region and also to improve communications and trade.
Herrengasse
The Herrengasse (a pedestrian precinct) which runs southeast from the Hauptplatz, boasts many handsome old mansions. At No. 3 is the Painted House (Gemaltes Haus), with frescos of 1742.
Leechkirche
East of the Graz Municipal Park (Stadtpark), beyond Glacisstrasse, stands the twin-towered Leechkirche, the oldest church in Graz (founded 1202). It was later remodeled in Gothic style as a church of the Teutonic Order. Worthy of note is the portal with a Gothic statue of the Madonna in the pediment. The single-naved interior has a ribbed vault roof, and the choir windows contain the earliest stained glass in Graz (14th C), depicting the Passion.
Markets
Several markets operate in Graz throughout the year. The farmermarkets (Bauernmärkte) are held at Kaiser-Josef-Platz, Lendplatz and Hauptplatz regularly.
Fleamarkets (Flohmärkte) are held at Karmeliterplatz and Messeparkplatz-Fröhlichgasse at various times throughout the year.
Art Markets (Kunstmärkte) are also held at Färberplatz at Easter, in May, June, October and November.
Fleamarkets (Flohmärkte) are held at Karmeliterplatz and Messeparkplatz-Fröhlichgasse at various times throughout the year.
Art Markets (Kunstmärkte) are also held at Färberplatz at Easter, in May, June, October and November.
Minorite Friary
From the Convent of the Brothers of Mercy on Graz's right bank it is only a short distance to the former Minorite Friary (Minoritenkloster; now housing the diocesan museum), with the Mariahilfkirche (1607-11) containing an image of the Virgin, the "Madonna of Graz", painted by the architect, Giovanni Pietro de Pomis.
Municipal Museum
Sackstrasse No. 18 in Graz houses the Graz Municipal Museum (Stadtmuseum). Adjoining it are a Pharmaceutical Museum and a Robert Stolz Museum; this Austrian composer was born in Graz in 1880 (died in Berlin in 1975).
The museum hosts regular special exhibitions.
The museum hosts regular special exhibitions.
Neue Galerie
At Sackstrasse No. 16 in Graz is the Neue Galerie with temporary exhibitions of 19th and 20th C. paintings.
The gallery houses contemporary art collections and paintings as well as collections of photos, videos and films.
The gallery houses contemporary art collections and paintings as well as collections of photos, videos and films.
Opera House
The Graz Opera House holds regular performances by many acclaimed local and international companies. The Opera House was built in 1999.
Platz am Eisernen Tor
The Graz Herrengasse ends at the Platz am Eisernen Tor, with a column bearing a figure of the Virgin (Mariensäule, 1665-71). To the south lies the spacious Jakominiplatz, where the newer part of the town begins.
Rathaus and Haus am Luegg
On the southern side of the Graz main square stands the Rathaus (1888-93), and at the northern end, on the corner of Sporgasse, the 17th C. Haus am Luegg with its attractive arcaded and stucco-decorated facade.
Styrian Autumn Festival
This annual two-month festival runs from early October to late November in celebration of the autumn harvest. The festival is renowned for showcasing contemporary theater, music and visual arts. Folk performances and some classical works are also included in the rich program.
Styriarte Festival
This annual three-week festival runs from late June to mid-July and includes events such as operas, classical concerts and seminars. Each year the festival focuses on one composer and includes a seminar focusing on the musician's life and work.
There are over 25 annual evening performances and the venues include the Schlossberg, the Congress, the Minoritensaal, Eggenberg Palace and Stainz Parish Church.
There are over 25 annual evening performances and the venues include the Schlossberg, the Congress, the Minoritensaal, Eggenberg Palace and Stainz Parish Church.
Town Parish Church
Opposite Graz's Landeszeughaus stands the Gothic parish church (Stadtpfarrkirche), built in 1519, with a Baroque facade added in 1742. The most attractive piece inside is the "Ascension" (Assunta) by Tintoretto above the Johann Nepomuk altar. The stained-glass (1953) in the choir illustrates the Passion of our Lord.
Universities
To the northeast of the Graz Municipal Park lie the buildings of the Karl Frenzens University, and southeast of the park is the Old Technical University.
University Botanical Gardens (Alpine Garden)
There is an alpine garden at the University Botanical Gardens in Graz. Here, visitors can see a diverse variety of flowers and therapeautic plants. The gardens were built in the early twentieth century.
University Botanical Gardens (Alpine Garden) - Graz
Botanischer Garten der Universität Innsbruck
Sternwartestr. 15
A-6020 Innsbruck
Austria
Botanischer Garten der Universität Innsbruck
Sternwartestr. 15
A-6020 Innsbruck
Austria
Hours
March 1 to October 1
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 | 7:30 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
Guides
Guided tour available as optional extra.
Graz Surroundings
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
