Graz Off The Beaten Path Tips by aramat Top 5 Page for this destination

Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum

Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Graz and became famous in the US as a body builder and actor. He is a citizen of honour of Graz and the city's new stadium was named after him as well. As he was elected governor of California on 7th October 2003, the Museum showing his early career will probably attract even more interest.

The Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum is located in the Fitness Center Fitnessparadies, at Stadionplatz 1.

The photo is from www.schwarzenegger.com.

Other Contact: His site: www.schwarzenegger.com

St. Nicholas

This statue of St. Nicholas stands on Nikolaiplatz, a few steps from the Hotel Weitzer (Grieskai), along the river Mur. There are many legends related to his life, particularly about his generousity which led to the creation of today's Santa Claus. St. Nicholas is the patron of children, of those who are in need, and the sailors and the travellers, among others.

6 December is St. Nicholas's day and it is celebrated in many European countries by gift giving and various activities. In Hungary, the Mikulas usually brings chocolate, oranges and smaller toys, and leaves them in the shoes and boots left out on the windowsill. It's fun to get and give gifts a few weeks before Christmas and it definitely puts everyone in the holiday mood.

Below is the URL of a great site about St. Nicholas.

Website: http://www.stnicholascenter.org

Dom im Berg

The "Dom" inside the Schlossberg - in the former system of air-raid shelters - was created in 1999 as a future-oriented art space and a multi-purpose event hall, a place for cultural projects. It's an exciting space with good programs.

The entrance is from the Schlossbergplatz.

Other Contact: http://www.domimberg.at

Website: http://www.graz03.at

The Hackher Lion

The statue is a monument to Major Franz Hackher who defended the Schlossberg fortress with less than a thousand soldiers against Napoleon's more than three times larger troops. It stands on the top of the hill, among the fortress ruins.

The Great Well

This beautiful well stands on the top of the Schlossberg, among the ruins of the fortress. The cistern was built in the 16th century, the well canopy was added at the end of the 19th. It has a capacity of 900,000 litres (one of the largest construction of its kind). Today it serves as a reservoir for firefighters.