Graz Things to Do Tips by dcwizard Top 5 Page for this destination

Graz Cathedral and Mausoleum Cathedral Review

The Gothic Dom (Cathedral) was built under Emperor Frederick III in 1438. It was to serve as a city parish and court church. The mausoleum, built by italian architect Pietro de Pomis for Emperor Ferdinand II, dates back to 1614. The Cathedral has a beautiful interior.

Address: Cathedral

Directions: Old Town Center

Website: http://www.graztourismus.at

House of Luegg Sporgasse Review

The house at the corner of the Sporgasse and the main square is beautifully decorated with baroque stucco and owes its peculiar name (House of Luegg) to the German "ums Eck lugen" (to peer around the corner). If you take a closer look at the designs on the building, you'll see masks and faces in its walls.

Address: Corner of Sporgasse and Hauptplatz

Directions: Old Town Center

Website: http://www.graztourismus.at

Advent Ice Sculpture at Landhaus Landhaus Review

As part of the Advent activities in the city of Graz, an ice sculpture of a nativity scene is placed in the courtyard of the famous Italian Renaissance-styled Landhaus. Unfortunately, the weather was a bit mild in early December, and the sculpture had already melted quite a bit when I saw it!

Address: Landhaus

Directions: Old Town Center

Website: http://www.graztourismus.at

Landhaus: Italian Renaissance in Graz Landhaus Review

The Landhaus with its beautiful arcaded courtyard is an excellent example of the ornate style of Italian Renaissance, unique in Graz. Built by Italian architect Domenico dell`Allio in the 16th century, the Landhaus today provides the perfect backdrop for regular concerts and other open-air performances. The Landhaus houses the Styrian Parliament, and the courtyard is an atmospheric backdrop for open-air concerts and other performances.

During the Advent season, many performances are held in the courtyard, and each year an ice sculpture of the nativity scene sits here.

Address: Landhaus

Directions: Old Town Center

Website: http://www.graztourismus.at

Mary's Column and the Marienlift Marienlift Review

The Mariensaule (Mary's Column), topped with a golden statue of Mary, sits in one of the squares in the historic city centre of Graz. During the Cultural Year 2003, a glass elevator created by Graz media artist Richard Kriesche took visitors up to the statue of Mary. For one Euro visitors were raised to eye-level with the statue and experienced a completely new perspective of the city centre.

Address: Mariensaule

Directions: Old Center

Website: http://www.graz03.at

Rathaus (City Hall) and Advent Town Hall Review

On the southern end of the main square lies the Rathaus. This the third building to be built on this spot to serve as the City Hall. In the center of the main square is y a fountain of Archduke Johann, The "Styrian prince", who founded the provincial museum Joanneum, which later gave rise to the University of Technology. During the Advent season, the Rathaus itself becomes a huge Advent Calendar, with the building lit up marking the days until Christmas. There are usually stalls with vendors selling crafts and refreshments. It has a wonderful holiday flavor and serves as one of the many Christmas markets during the month of December.

Address: Rathaus Platz

Directions: Old Center

Website: http://www.graztourismus.at

Botanical Garden with Contemporary Design

The botanical garden is a flourishing example of contemporary architecture in Graz, designed by Volker Giencke, a representative of the renowned Grazer Schule.

Address: north of city center

Directions: North of the old Town Center

Website: http://www.graztourismus.at

Modern Architecture: University

The original university in Graz was founded in 1585 by Archduke Karl — and then "refounded" in 1827 by Emperor Franz. That's how it came to be called the Karl-Franzens University. The Technical University had its origins in the Joanneum and achieved full University status around 1900. The new University of Music and Performing Arts was established 1998, but its roots go back almost 200 years...its Jazz Faculty is the only one of its kind in Europe, and places in it are highly sought after. There are around 40,000 students in Graz, and you'll find many of them out at the usual nightlife spots.

Address: north of city center

Directions: north of the Old Town and Schlossberg

Website: http://www.graztourismus.at

Schloss Eggenberg: Palace in Graz Schloss Eggenberg Review

On the western outskirts of Graz lies the Schloss Eggenberg. It was commissioned by Prince Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg (1538-1634), chief minister of Emperor Ferdinand II. The layout and decorations of the building are patterned on an intricate mathematical and allegorical scheme — an architectonic image of the universe — strongly influenced by the visions of cosmic harmonies propounded by natural philosophers of the time such as Johannes Kepler and Giordano Bruno. It has to be the most beautiful palace in the region.

You can visit the palace's State Rooms and also see a nice coin collection as well as museums of early history and Roman and ancient collections.

When I visited Schloss Eggenberg in June 2003, there was an interesting exhibit called Tower of Babel, looking at the challenge of communications through the ages. This exhibit was part of the year's events in Graz as Europe's Capital of Culture.

Supposedly there are 365 windows at the palace, one for each day of the year. I didn't bother to count!

Please see my Travelogue for more pictures of the palace and the Tower of Babel exhibition.

Address: Eggenberger Allee 90

Directions: On the Western outskirts of Graz, a couple of trams go there from the train station.

Other Contact: a21-egg@stmk.gv.at

Phone: ++43/(0)316/583264-0

Website: http://www.graztourismus.at

Glockenspiel Platz: Be on TIme! Glockenspiel Review

Make sure to time your walk through Graz to visit the Glockenspiel Platz at 11 am, 3 pm or at 6 pm. At these times, the two windows open up, to reveal a wooden couple dressed in traditional costumes, which turns to the chime of bells. The clock has been operating for over 100 years.

Address: Glockenspielplatz

Directions: Old Town center

Website: http://www.graztourismus.at