Graz
Graz is the capital of the state of Styria in Austria and is the second largest city in the country, with Vienna being the largest. It covers an area of forty-nine square miles and has a population of almost three hundred thousand residents. The city has a long and impressive history of a university town and many prominent universities are located here. These include the FH Joanneum, Medical University of Graz, Graz University of Technology, University of Leoben, University of Graz and the University of Music and Dramatic Arts. The city is also known as a center of culture in Austria and in 1999 was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Graz is a city that can trace its history to the twelfth century when it was under the Babenberg Dukes rule. During the thirteenth century, the city would fall under the rule of the Habsburgs. The royal family of the Habsburg line lived in Schloberg castle and ruled the state of Styria, as well as parts of Slovenia and Italy. During the sixteenth century, Karl-Franzens Universitat (now known as the University of Graz) was erected and is today the oldest university in the city. The city is the birthplace of many notable people which include celebrities, composers, artists and athletes. Notable people born in Graz include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Johann Puch, Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, Ludwig Boltzmann, Robert Stolz, Friedrich St. Florian, Nicolaus Harnoncourt, Olga Neuwirth, Jochen Rindt, Otto Wanz, Wolfgang Bauer, Bernd Bruckle, Werner Schwab, Thomas Vanek, Markus Schopp, Helmut Marko, August Musger, Lili Novy, Karl Bohm, Otto Loewi, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, Nikola Tesla, Gert Schnider, Soo-Young Lee, Baron Roman Ungern von Sternberg, Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg and Anton Rintelen.
A prominent attraction in the city of Graz is the Schloss Eggenberg. The Schloss Eggenberg is a beautiful palatial complex that is in the Baroque architectural style. Its located on the western quadrant of the city and features scenic gardens, Roman stonework and a park. This palace was originally constructed in the fifteenth century by Balthasar Eggenberger, who was financier to Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III. The main features of this palace include twenty-four state rooms, a festival hall, Eggenberg Gardens, The Planetary Garden and the Planetary Room. The Planetary Room contains oil paintings by Hans Adam Weissenkircher which illustrate the twelve signs of the zodiac and the seven classical planets. The twenty-four state rooms contain over six hundred ceiling paintings which illustrate scenes from the Old Testament, as well as scenes from classic Greco-Roman mythology.
Another popular attraction in the city is the Landeszeughaus. The Landeszeughaus is the largest original armoury in the world and holds over thirty-two thousand weapons, tools, battle armor and ceremonial armor. This armory was built in the mid seventeenth century by architect Anotnio Solar. It was constructed because Styria was in need of an armory that was capable of holding a large collection of weapons for its defence against the Ottoman Empire. This armory was used for about a century, before Austrian empress Maria Theresia centralized Austrian defences and closed it. The museum currently contains military items which include pistols, rifles, powder flasks, cartridge boxes, bullet tongs, two handed swords, pallashes, estocs, cavalry broadswords, bayonets, sabres, halberds, pikes, partisans, couses, morning stars, cannons, mortars, rocket making equipment and ammunition.
Graz Cathedral is another popular attraction in the city. It was built by Emperor Frederick III in the fifteenth century. It was began in the Gothic style, but was refurbished in the Baroque style in the seventeenth century. From the eighteenth century on it was the bishops church of Styria and later attained Cathedral status. The Graz Kunsthaus is another popular site to visit in the city. This structure was built in 2003 by Colin Fournier and Peter Cook. It contains an impressive assortment of contemporary art. The Graz Opera House is the second biggest opera house in the country. It was built in 1899 by the architectural team of Fellner and Helmer. It features many prominent performaces over the course of its history, and in 2001 was awarded “Opera House of the Year”. The Hauptplatz is a grande market square that is at the center of public life in the city. All the city’s trams stop there and the area contains an impressive array of markets and shops. In the center of the square is the monument of Archduke Johann. Around the monument are a ton of sausage stands (Wurstelstandes) where one can pick up bratwurst or Krainer. Also located in the square is the Town Hall. The Town Hall is the seat of the city government, but also contains many open air cafes. The Town Hall itself is a site to behold, with its elaborate dome, towers and very prominent clock.
Other attractions in the city of Graz include the eighteenth century Graz Gemaltes Haus or Painted House, Helmut-List-Hall, Mur Island, Riegersburg Castle, Grazer Schlobberg, Neue Galerie, Landhaus, Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II, Basilika Mariatrost, Herz Jesu Kirche, Calvary Hill, Osterreichisches Freilichtmuseum Stubing, Lurgrotte, Lipizzanergestut Piber, Steirische Weinstrasse, Thermenregion, Camera Austria, Volkskundemuseum, Diozesanmuseum, Literaturhaus, Museum der Wahrnehmung, Kindermuseum Frida&Fred, Tramwaymuseum, Luftfahrtmuseum, Hanns Schell Collection, Elisabeth Hochhaus and Telekom Austria Tower. The city is also home to a number of restaurants, cafes and hotels. Prominent restaurants in the city include Daniel, Gollner Restaurant and the Gasthof. Popular hotels in the city of Graz include the Weitzer, Hotel Erzherzog Johann, Grand Hotel Wiesler, Best Western Hotel Drei Raben and the Hotel Mercure Graz Messe. The city is also home to a number of brew houses and sausage stands that seem to be located all throughout Graz.
