Graz Austria-Don't Miss this City

My plan was to take the early train out of Graz. Instead I spent two delightful days here, exploring the Old Town, the Schlossberg Castle, The Hauptplatz, The Landeszeughaus Armory,The Mausoleum of Emperior Ferdinand The Second, and the Domkirche (Cathedral).

Quick Tips:

Once you arrive in GRAZ, walk if at all possible. The city is small enought to visit most of the important sites without having to take a car, taxi or tram.

Best Way To Get Around:

To get to Graz, you can arrive by train from many directions, bus or car.

Once you arrive, walking is the best way to get around. There is an inexpensive tram service if time is a problem. There is so much beauty in this city that you really need to take your time and absorb its history, its contemporary life,its people.

Getting off the train, exhausted, I was in no mood to look for a cheap hostel..actually I wanted a comfortable bed and quiet room. By accident or luck , my creature comfort needs were met at this hotel.

This place is centrally located, a few minutes from the train station. The foundation was built in the 17th century, with 19th century walls. My bedroom was very comfortable with a good mattress.

The desk clerk was very friendly and helpful. Although I paid around $50 a night, (which was high for my style of travel) it was worth every penny.

An added benefit was a good restaurant on the bottom floor where I had a delicious breakfast.

I enjoyed this cafe on a beautiful, warm day. This place has great views and serves delicious coffee and homemade pastries using fresh fruit and berries. This cafe apparently has been in business since 1891.

Well worth a visit.

Visiting this place was a highlight for me. Being a non-violent close to being a pacifist, I wasn't sure I wanted to visit this place but became curious by a flyer I picked up.

For more than two centuries, Graz was a military power fighting the Turks. This armory, built during 1642-45, dates from these Turkish Wars. An early baroque gate is flanked by statues of Mars and Minerva(war deities). There are many floors to this building, separated by beautiful, original wood-beamed ceilings.

On the first floor there is a vaulted cannon hall.

The additional floors display three centuries of weaponry including 30,000 (yes, the number is correct) of harnesses, coats of armor, helmets, swords, pikes, muskets, pistols, and other nameless implements of war. (check photos of me wearing some of this armor).

In 1749, Empress Maria Theresa, in recognition of Styrian military service allowed this arsenal to remain when the others were destroyed.

The guides in this museum are college students who live in Graz..they are friendly and very helpful in explaining history and answering questions.

There are ancient weapons/implements of war that visitors are allowed to wear for a few moments.

One interesting thing I learned through this visit was that most soldiers who fought did not die from battle wounds but from either falling off their horse or from the heat..their armor weighed over a hundred pounds and was overwhelming, limiting effective fighting.

This citadel, overlooking the city of Graz, is reached by walking up a 1,550 hill or by taking a cable car. I would recommend walking since you experience fantastic views and sights along the way.

Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with a panoramic view of the city. The gardens are just beautiful and you can spend hours walking around.

I took a tour of the citadel and bell tower, which was worth the $5. The Clock Tower (See photo) was built in 1555-56 in the Renaissance style. The clock has four huge clock faces.

This hill was fortified at one time but the fortifications were removed in 1809 as a result of Austria's treaty with Napoleon.

There is a restaurant on the hill and this place is popular for picnics and evening concerts.

Arriving at the top early in the morning, I noticed many individuals sleeping on the ground. With the high cost of housing in Graz, apparently many decide to sleep in the park.

This place is right next to the Domkerche (Cathedral) and is one of the most remarkable buildings in Graz. Built in 1614 and completed in 1638, this building was intended to be the tomb of the emperor and his first wife. The church there, with a crossing cupola and a vaulted tomb chapel, is really unique. The tomb's central sarophagus contains only Ferdinand's mother's remains.

Admission to this place is free and is open from 11am to 3 pm.

This church has an interesting history..originally it was a Romanesque Church of St. Aegydius, fortified outside the city walls in the 12th century. In the 15th century, Frederick III had the church converted into the Gothic style, although it ended up somehow with a wooden turret instead of a Gothic spire. Archduke Carl attached the church to his residence and then turned it over to the Jesuits. The baroque high altar, created in the 18th century is very interesting.

There are major sights around the main square of Graz, too numerous to mention here. This large square is souurounded by many ancient houses with characteristic brown-tile roofs and narrow gables. The most notable house is the House of Luegg at the corner of Sporgasse,known for its arcades and facade dating from the 17th century.

Along with these wonderful buildings, there is life going about you..people selling their wares, great food, street music and a vebrant life of people celebrating being alive.