Graz
A recent European Capital of Culture, Graz is also capital of the Styria
region. From the 15th century, it was a major bulwark against the Turks and,
in the 17th century adopted the Baroque before the rest of the Austrian
empire. The city is compact and most important sights are within walking
distance of the market square of the Hauptplatz.
The Landesmuseum Johanneum, a large complex of museums, is one of the
world’s oldest, and includes the Alte Galerie with its superb Gothic
paintings. The Neue Galerie in the Herbenstrein Palace displays 19th- and
20th-century paintings, including some works by Schiele and Klimt. The
Cathedral, the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II (begun in 1614), the Leech
Church, the pedestrian zone of the old quarter, the Schlossberg (Castle
Hill) with its Uhrtrum (clock tower) and Glockenturm (bell tower) should
also be seen.
Some distance west of the city is Schloss Eggenberg, the 16th-century palace
noted for its state rooms and museums. More than any other provincial centre
Graz preserves the old Kaffeehaus culture where visitors can sit all day
enjoying a leisurely coffee watching the life of the city.
Excursions
Any itinerary should include a visit to the Museum and the Convent at Leoben
and to the silver mine in Oberzeiring. Piber includes the stud farm for the
famous Lipizzaner horses. Stübing/Gratwein, in the forests northeast of
Graz, has an excellent open-air museum of furnished houses from all over the
country.
The Weinstrasse stretches from Ehrenhausen to Elbiswald. Also worth
exploring are Bruck an der Mur, Eisenerz, Murau, Oberzeiring, Schladming,
Bad Aussee and Ramsau. |
