World Travellers

Graz is Austria’s second-largest city, with a population of 291,000 as of 2009. Graz is situated on the banks of the river Mur in the heavily forested state of Styria. The city is known for its Universities; in fact it features six universities and more than 44,000 students.

Graz is also known for its old town, which was recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, in particular for the harmonious mixture of typical buildings from different historical periods and varied architectural styles, from Gothic to contemporary.

Some of the historical structures you will want to see include the Burg (Castle complex) with its Gothic double staircase built in the 15th century by Emperor Frederick III. Also make a visit to old town’s Gothic Dom (Cathedral), along with the Museum of Art. Be sure to take a ride up the funicular railway to the Schloßberg, which literally means “Castle Mountain”, which is exactly what it is. It is a hill topped with a Castle, right smack in the center of the city. The historical old clock tower is there, along with a café with views of the old town.

There is no shortage of museums in Graz — you might want to start with the Schloss Eggenburg, a 17th-century baroque palace which now is a museum featuring paintings and sculptures from the Romanesque to the end of the Baroque. Also recommended is the Natural History Museum, the City Museum, and the ultra modern Grazer Kunstaus Museum of contemporary Art.

Graz is now just as famous for its modern groundbreaking new buildings, including the Muurinsel, a fake island made of steel in the Mur River which is a trendy café. All in all, Graz is a mixture of an impressively preserved mixture of varied historical architectural styles juxtaposed with groundbreaking modern new buildings, and is a major European tourist destination.

By: Cody Nevins

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