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    Things to do in Graz

    The most interesting things to do in Graz. Photos and a brief description.

    Graz
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    About Graz

    The Austrian Graz will be able to compete with the brilliant Vienna and opera Salzburg, although this city is less well-known and popular with tourists. In Graz, travelers will fully enjoy the architectural beauties of the imperial period, as well as touch the distant history of the Middle Ages in Schlosberg Castle and on the ruins of the Gesting fortress.

    The federal state of Styria, whose capital is the city of Graz, is known for its excellent wines. Connoisseurs note that local varieties are very creative and original. They can be enjoyed in all restaurants and bars of the city.

    Perhaps, Graz became known to the general public, including due to the fact that A. Schwarzenegger was born and grew up here – an idol of several generations, an actor, a bodybuilder and a businessman.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Graz

    Graz City Hall

    The building of the city municipality, located on the central square of Hauptplatz. The town Hall, in the style of restrained classicism, was erected in 1803. It should be noted that the architectural development of Hauptplatz dates back to an earlier period, so the town hall can be considered a relatively new building. The central square is the venue for traditional Christmas fairs. In normal times, there are also colorful stalls with local delicacies.

    Graz City Hall
    Landhouse

    Landhouse

    A Venetian-style mansion with exterior boxes and a Renaissance-style courtyard, designed by architects D. del Allio and B. di Bosio. The building was rebuilt under the guidance of these Italian masters in the XVI century. The landhouse was intended for meetings of the local parliament. The Legislative Assembly of the city is still located there. The interiors are made in the Baroque style and richly decorated with stucco.

    Schlossberg Castle

    The fortress is located on a hill 450 meters high. It has become famous throughout Europe for the fact that it has never been taken during a siege since its foundation in the XII century. Once the city of Graz was the central city of the Austrian lands, so the castle was necessary for defense purposes. On the Castle Hill there is a 28-meter clock tower Urturm. A clock face is installed on all four facades of the tower. The chronometer of the tower has been working since the beginning of the XVIII century.

    Schlossberg Castle
    Eggenberg Castle

    Eggenberg Castle

    A magnificent palace of the XVII century, one of the main attractions of Graz and the surrounding area. The castle was built for Prince Eggenberg, an adviser to Emperor Ferdinand II, who had great influence at court. The aristocrat was seriously interested in astrology, so the architect D.P. de Pomis created a castle project in the style of "Renaissance harmony". The structure has four towers — symbols of the seasons, 52 rooms – the number of weeks in a year, 24 common halls, which corresponds to the number of hours in a day.

    Ruins of the Gesting Fortress

    A few kilometers from Graz is the once powerful fortress of Gesting, which covered the approaches to the suburbs and was an important strategic structure. The castle was built in the XI century and stood until the XVIII century, until a lightning strike completely destroyed its powerful walls. The discharge landed right in the powder magazine and as a result of a powerful explosion, Gesting turned into ruins. Of all the buildings, only the chapel of St. Anna has been preserved.

    Ruins of the Gesting Fortress
    Kunsthaus

    Kunsthaus

    The Museum of 2003, where the collection of modern art of the second half of the XX — early XXI centuries is collected. The building was designed by architects P. Cook and K. Fournier. From afar, the futuristic structure resembles a giant submarine or whale. The museum does not have its own permanent exhibition. Its space is used for organizing temporary exhibitions dedicated to cinema, photography, modern architecture, painting and design.

    Arsenal

    The building for the armory was erected in the XVII century according to the project of A. Solari. The arsenal contained stocks of weapons, which were planned to be distributed to the population in case of a sudden enemy attack. Now several thousand guns, rifles, pistols, cannons and other firearms are stored on its territory. Also in the arsenal there are halls with armor and tournament weapons of knights.

    Arsenal
    Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum

    Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum

    Graz, Austria, is the birthplace of the famous American actor A. Schwarzenegger. In 2011, a museum was opened for fans of the work of this extraordinary man on the territory of the very house where Arnold was born and spent his young years. This small mansion is located on Lake Tal in the village of the same name. The museum exposition consists of the actor's personal belongings, original furnishings, as well as artifacts from the most famous films where Arnold was filmed.

    Opera House

    The building for the Graz opera stage was erected in the XIX-XX centuries. not far from the city park. Since the XVII century, theatrical performances have been given on the territory of the carriage house of the Habsburg residence. The first theater was built in 1776. It is known that V.A. Mozart himself performed his works in it. Later, this room was given over to a dramatic stage, which is still working. The modern opera is built in the neo-Baroque style.

    Opera House
    Cathedral of St. Aegidius

    Cathedral of St. Aegidius

    The main Catholic church of Graz, an architectural monument of the XV century. The construction of the church began simultaneously with the construction of the castle for Emperor Frederick III. In the XVI century, the church became the property of the Jesuit Order. The church has served as the Cathedral of Graz since the XVIII century. In the XX century, the interior interiors were restored under the direction of K.R. Lorenz.

    Mariatrost Basilica

    The temple is located on the top of a hill that rises almost 500 meters above the city. The church is an important pilgrimage center in Austria. It was built at the beginning of the XVIII century in the architectural style of the late Baroque. The main facade consists of two symmetrical 60-meter towers and a portal of the main entrance. The interiors are distinguished by magnificent decoration in the best traditions of the Baroque style.

    Mariatrost Basilica
    Church of the Heart of Christ

    Church of the Heart of Christ

    The largest Catholic church in Graz. The building is built in a picturesque late Gothic style, which is characterized by a high central nave and figured stained glass windows. The church was built in 1887 according to the project of G. Hauberrisser. In 1988, the reconstruction was carried out. The temple is considered the third largest in Austria. Its unique stained glass windows are a rather rare element, not typical for church construction on the land of Styria.

    Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand

    The family tomb of the Habsburg dynasty, erected in the XVII century on the site of religious buildings. The mausoleum was designed by the Italian D.P. de Pomis, so the structure has some features of Florentine architecture. Subsequently, under Leopold I, the grandson of Ferdinand II, the complex was finally completed. The Emperor himself and his mother Maria of Bavaria are buried in the crypt.

    Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand
    Murinsel

    Murinsel

    An entertainment complex located on an artificial island in the middle of the Moore River. The structure is connected to the banks by means of bridges. In Murinsel, under a glass dome, there is a restaurant, a children's area "Island of Adventures" and an amphitheater. All structures of the complex are mounted on a mobile platform that is able to move along the river. The Murinsel space is designed for 350 people.

    Street "Sackstrasse"

    The city street, which received the unofficial name "Mile of Art" because of the large number of art workshops, exhibition galleries, studios and art cafes. There are also several shops selling antiques and jewelry. The alley "Sackstrasse" is best visited before Christmas, as at this time the street decor is most picturesque.

    Street