The amazingly beautiful Austrian city of Graz is the second largest in the state. Its distinctive features are the buildings of the most diverse architectural styles and an incredibly large amount of greenery. To better understand this place, you need to visit it, so you should first familiarize yourself with its main attractions.
The article provides information about the city in Austria Graz: photo, description, attractions.
General information
Graz is the capital of the federal Austrian state of Styria and a large student center. There are several universities in the city, where more than 55 thousand students study, which is approximately 20% of the population.
Graz is also famous for its vibrant, vibrant cultural life. It regularly hosts festivals, fairs, exhibitions and colorful national holidays, which attract a huge number of participants and spectators. Graz in 2003 is recognized as the cultural capital of Europe.
A bit of history
In the history of the city of Graz (photo presented in the article) there are many bright moments. It was the capital of Inner Austria, the residence of the Habsburgs, an important outpost during the Turkish raids that took place in the XVI century. He was part of the empire of Napoleon, as well as the occupation zone of Britain and the Nazi Republic. In the village of Tal, located 4 kilometers from the city of Graz, Arnold Schwarzenegger was born.
It is curious that in Austria Graz is considered the most “Italian” city. There are magnificent palaces, beautiful mansions, cozy Venetian courtyards decorated with frescoes. And this is due to the fact that talented Italian architects worked on the appearance of the city in the Baroque era. This is Domenico Del Allio, who built the Landhaus palace complex, and Giovanni Pietro de Pomis, who is the author of the mausoleum of Ferdinand II, etc.
Location
Graz is a settlement located on the coastal sections of the Mur River. These shores are connected by bridges (there are a total of 7). The old city center (Altstadt district) is located on the left bank of the river. The opposite shore is occupied by industrial and business areas.
Entertainment in the city
Graz is an amazing place for exploring the sights of which should be allocated at least two days. The main historical sights of the city: the Armory, the Town Hall, the Landhaus Palace, the Cathedral, the clock tower, the Schlossberg castle with the cable car leading to it, the Eggenberg castle, the Winter Palm Garden and much more.
Graz is a great place to shop. There are many shopping streets with boutiques and markets where you can find souvenirs and antiques. Restaurants and cafes offer national Styrian specialties and excellent desserts, as well as local wine and beer.
There are many cinemas and nightclubs, cultural events are held, including the festival “Srtitsky Autumn” (contemporary art), the festival of jazz, classical music, etc.
The following article presents the most popular attractions of the city.
City church
The main religious building of Graz is a church built in 1891. It began to function in 1902. The building is made in the Baroque style.
The bell tower, the walls of which are decorated with paintings, is the highest element of the structure. Particularly striking is the design of the interior by stained-glass windows. Today this church is a functioning Orthodox church.
Arsenal Museum
The legendary Graz arsenal appeared in the 16th century, when the city became the Turks on the path of conquering Central Europe. Thanks to the stamina and courage of its inhabitants, as well as the huge arsenal that was capable of arming 16,000 soldiers, the conquest failed.
Today, the arsenal is a museum that stores 3300 helmets and armor, more than 7800 units of various small arms, as well as about 2500 sabers and swords. In total, the museum has approximately 32 thousand exhibits.
Graz Castle
Graz is a city in which there is a castle of the same name, built in the middle of the XV century at the foot of the mountain on the orders of Frederick III. The purpose of the construction is to strengthen the defense of the city from the east. The architectural style of the castle is late Gothic.
The structure in its history has expanded and modified several times. The dungeons in the fortress were connected by tunnels to the main cathedral of the city and to the castle of Schlossber. Over time, due to the loss of defensive function, most of the elements and premises of the castle were changed. During the Second World War, it was almost destroyed, and after the end of hostilities the fortress was partially restored. Restoration work in the castle is ongoing to this day. Today, Graz Castle is the seat of the government residence of Styria.
Finally
How to get from Graz to the nearby attractions, which are abundant in these parts? To do this, there are special travel planners covering bus and train routes.
You should definitely visit the equally picturesque surroundings, nearby settlements and the cities of Styria.
All these interesting and informative trips can be made using regular public transport leaving Graz. And the historical part of the city itself can be circumvented on foot.