GETTING THERE ART & CULTURE WORTH SEEING CHURCHES MUSEUMS
DINE & WINE
SHOPPING HOTELS PUBLIC TRANSPORT
IMPRESSUM
Getting there
Art and Culture
GRAZ
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Worth seeing
SÜDTIROLER PLATZ
Südtiroler Square at the river Mur bank is home to many historic buildings. Next to it is the futuristic Grazer Kunsthaus, a museum right at the river
bank. You can start your shopping spree here, or simply pick a cozy restaurant to spend the time.
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KARMELITERPLATZ
Karmeliter Square is home to the pestilence column, built in 1680. The path "At the foot of the Schlossberg" leads via the the Schlossberg-tunnel to the famous clock tower. Restaurants and cafes,
as well as a large fountain, where hikers cool their feet, surround this square.
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EDEGGER-TAX
The bakery by royal appointment Edegger-Tax houses one of the most impressive facades of Graz. This former royal bakery is one of the oldest in the city. The history of this reverend company
dates back to the 14th century. "Sissi-Kisses", "Styrian Panther's Paws", and "Pumpkin-Seed Vanilla Cornets" are their specialities.
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BURG
The Habsburg family errected the castle in 1438. Today, it is the official residence of the Styrian governor. The impressive gothic double-spiral staircase from 1499 is also called the "reconciliation
staircase", because the two separated paths are brought together again.
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From a small window right beneath the roof of Palais Saurau, you can see a mann with beard, turban and dagger. There are many stories about why he was depicted this way, but as there never was
an Ottoman occupation in Graz, we are led to believe that the Count of Saurau just followed a fashion trend.
PALAIS SAURAU
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VOLKSGARTEN
The Volksgarten Graz is a public park covering 4.6 hectars in the city's Lend district. When coming from Lend square towards Annenstraße, the park is on your right hand side. It is divided in two by the
Mühlgang canal. Many ducks and goldfish inhabitate the two ponds of the park.
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STADTPARK
The Stadtpark ("city park") fountain is an exhibition piece from the World Fair held in 1873 in Vienna. The Stadtpark Graz has been under environmental protection since 1987. It is home to a large play-
ground and many benches that serve as resting spot for wanderers. The park also accommodates many squirrels, which are also called "Hansis".
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OPERNHAUS
The Graz Opera House was built according to plans by Fellner and Helmer, based on the style of Fischer von Erlach. The official opening was in 1899. The Opernring houses a 54-metre sculpture,
"Lichtschwert" (lightsaber), based on the Statue of Liberty in New York, and serves as a memorial to respect Human Rights.
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SCHLOSSBERG
The Schlossberg hill is the perfect spot to relax at any time of the year. Visitors can see the most famous landmark of Graz: the clock tower. The hour hand is longer than the minute hand, which was
added later. The clock tower also houses three bells, amongst them the oldest bell of Graz. Archduke Karl II had the octagonal tower built in the year 1588. It measures 34 metres in height. "Liesl"
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THE BELL TOWER
(Elisabeth) is the third largest bell in Styria and measures 1.97 metres diagonal and weights 4.5 tons.
"Liesl" can be heard daily at 7am, 12pm and 7pm when she sounds her 101 chimes. This tradition
dates back to a myth stating that the bell was made from 101 salvaged Ottoman cannonballs. In the cellar of the clock tower is the dungeon, which was referred to as "contrabass".
GETTING TO THE TOP
SCHLOßBERGBAHN
Besides these very comfortable ways of climbing the Schlossberg hill, many visitors decide to be athletic and hike to the top.
Next to the elevator is the Schlossberg-tunnel, which serves as a pathway to the cathedral inside
the mountain, and crosses the path "At the foot of the Schlossberg", which leads to the clock tower. Alternatively, one can also climb the 260 steps to reach the top of the hill and the clock tower.
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CHINESISCHER PAVILLION
GLOCKENSPIEL
High above the Glockenspielplatz (Chimes Square), a traditionally-dressed couple dances daily at 11am, 3pm and 6pm. The melody of the mechanic chimes is always changing. The square is
right at the heart of the "Bermuda Triangle", where visitors can get lost amongst the countless bars, cafes, and restaurants.
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EISERNES TOR
This is also the place of a sight called Maria Column, built in 1670, which used to be on Karmeliter Square. The column was erected to commemorate the victorious battle at Mogersdorf under Count
Raimondo Montecuccoli. The column was moved to its current location in 1928.
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Churches
BARMHERZIGE BRÜDER
The construction of the church was interrupted by the Thirty Years' War and thus it was sanctified only in 1636.
The original church had to be torn down only one hundred years after its construction and was re-
Since this church also served as garrison church, it has been the home of the ship bell of battleship SMS Tegethoff since 1973.
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DOM
Don't be fooled by the simple exterior of the Graz Cathedral. The formerly grand painting of the building unfortunately completely disappeared with the exception of the so-called "God's Plagues Picture". This image, referencing the horror-year 1480, is located on the southern side of the cathedral. The three plagues locusts, war, and pestilence were
thought of as punishment by the population. The fresco was created by Thomas von Villach as a plea for mercy and reconciliation.
The inside of the cathedral impresses though the magnificent high altar and the two reliquary caskets on both sides of the entryway to the chancel.
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DREIFALTIGKEITSKIRCHE
The church is located on Schlossberg Square. Right behind the church is the river Mur pier. The Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Holy Trinity Church) initially was built as Ursuline Church and sanctified in 1704. The style of the church resembles Italian baroque and the interior is baroque as well.
The sculptures of the four church fathers are particularly impressive: Ambrose, Augustine, Gregor the Great, and Jerome.
The southern side altar houses a depiction of Saint Ursula, the name saint of the religious order.
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FRANZISKANERKIRCHE
Right in the centre of Franciscan Quarter is the Franciscan Church. Here you will find the impressive church - first documented in 1249 - surrounded by historic shops and boutiques, many restau-
rants, cafes, and bars. The Stations of the Cross at the Franciscan monastery are definitely worth a visit.
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KALVARIENBERG
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KATHARIENKIRCHE
Next to the Graz Cathedral is St. Catherine's Church and the mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II. In 1614, the emperor ordered Giovanni Pietro de Pomis, who lived near Milan, to build the largest
mausoleum of the Habsburg empire. The construction of the mausoleum was completed in 1634.
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CROWN OF GRAZ
The mausoleum as well as St. Catherine's church, the Cathedral, Jesuit University, and Graz Castle all belong to the so-called "Crown of Graz" (Grazer Stadtkrone).
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DIE ELTERN KAISER FERDINANDS II
MARIATROST
The pilgrimage church Graz-Mariatrost lies on the Purberg hill in the town Mariatrost. The church is accessible via tramway (line 1). To recharge, gain strength and energy, one can visit Mariatrost on a
sunny day and walk the Rosegger path towards the Lech forest all the way to lake Hilmteich.
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MARIAHILFERKIRCHE
to, began the construction of the baroque church in the year 1604. De Pomis modelled the church after the venetian style without towers, which were added later under Josef Hueber. Across the courtyard are the Minorite Halls. The largest hall is one of the most beautiful baroque halls in the state cap-
which provide the ideal ambiance for conferences, conventions, and cultural events. The parish church is avregular venue for church concerts and orchestra masses.
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STADTPFARRKIRCHE
The complete name of the city parish church in Graz is canonry, main and city parish church Graz Holy Blood. In 1440, this spot was already home to a house of worship. The baroque Johannes-Nepomuk-Chappell houses the former high altar painting of "Mary Ascension". This magnum opus is ascribed to the Venetian Tintoretto. Because the goth-
ic glass windows were destroyed during World War II, the artist Albert Birkle was instructed to create new windows for the church. Birkle memorialised the dictators Hitler and Mussolini as tormentors of Christ in his work of art. This fact made several front pages in the 1950s.
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HITLER UND MUSSOLINI (ALBERT BIRKLE)
STIEGENKIRCHE
Because the church is located behind houses in the Sporgasse alleyway, it is accessed through its characteristic stairway. The stair church was first
documented in 1343 and is one of the oldest buildings in the city.
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ZENTRALFRIEDHOF
The central cemetery of Graz is the location for the Serbian-Orthodox church of Saint Kyrill and Method. The church, built in 1886, initially was a roman-catholic church. In 1996, it was put under
the control of the parish of St. John and offered to the Serbian-Orthodox Diocese for Central Europe.
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Museums
SCHLOSS EGGENBERG
The largest baroque castle in Styria houses extensive collections from the universal museum Joanneum, which make Castle Eggenberg one of the most valuable cultural treasures of Austria. Since
2010, the castle has been on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. When visiting Graz, seeing Eggenberg Castle is a must.
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JOANNEUMSVIERTEL
The museum Joanneum, founded in the year 1811, is one of the oldest and most modern institutions in Europe. The Joanneum quarter is also home to Austria's largest and oldest state library. The New
Gallery Graz, multimedia collections, and the Museum of Natural History are also located in the Joanneum quarter.
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KUNSTHAUS
Graz was Europe's cultural capital in 2003, which was the occasion to create the new Kunsthaus Graz. In front of the building is the venerable "Iron House", which dates back to 1848. At night, the fa-
cade of the building shows current news headlines on a 15 by 60 meter BIX media facade.
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TRAMWAYMUSEUM
The depot of the former Mariatrost railway, right at the final destination Mariatrost, houses the Tramway Museum Graz. The club has been showing oldtimers from Graz, Vienna, Munich, and New York
since 1971. Many of the old-timers can be rented for private tours.
Visit: www.tramway-museum-graz.at if interested.
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ZEUGHAUS
If you are interested in weaponry, you can admire 32,000 items on five levels at the Graz Armoury. It is the only armoury world-wide that is still in its original condition. The weapons date back from the late 15th until the early 19th century. On the first level, the cannon hall serves as the information desk of Graz Tourism.
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Dine & Wine
AIOLA UPSTAIRS
Right next to the elevator, near the clock tower, the restaurant "aiola upstairs" provides a wonderful view of Graz, as well as some culinary highlights. The establishment fits 120 people on the terrace
www.upstairs.aiola.at/restaurant
and 60 people indoors. The glass windows can be sunk into the floor, which makes the indoor and outdoor areas seamlessly melt together.
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www.goesserbraeugraz.at
The restaurant not only serves its guests the traditional "Gösser" beer, but is also well known for its home-style cooking and its fantastic international cuisine. "Gösser Bräu" is a beer tavern that serves
eight varieties of beer to accompany their hearty meals. The 650 seats make the restaurant a great location for large groups.
www.landhaus-keller.at
In autumn of 2015, the restaurant "Landhauskeller" was newly renovated and is now more inviting than ever. The locale has always been a meeting point for visitors who enjoy hospitality, excellent meals, and good drinks. The new and fresh look of the "Landhauskeller" is another worthy reason for a visit.
www.schlossberggraz.at/bar/
High above the Schlossberg Restaurant is the Skybar. This breath-taking locale also includes a generous terrace. Great drinks and snacks complete the visit. If you want to tie the knot: The Skybar can
be used for weddings. A Registrar General is marrying couples at 464 meters above sea-level.
www.speisesaal.at/
An unforgettable culinary meeting point is "Der Speisesaal" ("The Dining Hall"), which received a rating of 12.5 points in the 2016 Gault-Millau. In the evening, guests can enjoy the legendary charcoal-
grilled steak. The desserts don't have to hide either: the bakery Wiesler delivers delicious sweet dreams.
www.stainzerbauer.at/
Another cosy restaurant is "Stainzerbauer", which offers a unique, down-to-earth cuisine and ambiance well worth remembering. The restaurant received one toque and 13 points in the 2016 Gault-
Millau. The gallery of photos displayed in the corner of the parlour shows the popularity of this culinary institution.
The restaurant "Steirer" ("Styrian") offers visitors the opportunity to take a culinary tour of Styria. The original restaurant, which is located inside Hotel Weitzer, also offers a gift shop worth visiting. Here,
guests can buy wines, but also many unique souvenirs from mother nature.
Shopping
KAISER JOSEF PLATZ
The market-women on Kaiser Josef Square display their reign six days a week from Monday to Saturday. Here you will find fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, and ham. All goods are produced on their
farms and the market is a popular spot for the people of Graz, especially on Saturdays.
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KASTNER & ÖHLER
"Kastner & Öhler" is the department store in Graz. On 8 levels guests can give their wallets a workout and purchase mainly women's, men's, and children's fashion. It is tradition to visit the department
store and then have a coffee on the terrace or to simply enjoy the view of the city of Graz from the rooftop.
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LENDPLATZ
On the right bank of the Mur river, the market on Lend Square is open daily except Sunday. Graz is home to 800 city farmers and thus has the largest number of market days in Europe. Lend Square is a
market exclusively for farmers who sell their own goods. Visitors can find spots to rest and recharge all around the square.
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HERRENGASSE
Square with the Hauptplatz via the "Iron Gate". The baroque boulevard is used mainly as a pedestrian zone with the exception of tramway traffic. Here are
many stores, cafes, and restaurants.
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HAUPTPLATZ
The "Hauptplatz" (Main Square) in Graz is the social centre of the city. Here you can enjoy a sausage on one of the many food stands (we recommend a "Krainer") or discover the unique shops all around
the square and in the small alleyways leading away from the Hauptplatz.
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Hotels
www.hoteldaniel.com/graz/
The Hotel Daniel lies right at the main train station of Graz. Tramways are within walking distance from the hotel and the city centre can be reached in less than 15 minutes. The hotel also offers scooter, e-
bike or Ape Calessino (a tricycle with particular charm) rentals.
Hotel Weitzer is right on the Mur river bank and is only a 5-minute-walk from the main square. The hotel is also home to the restaurant "Der Steirer" and the well-known "Kaffee Weitzer" cafe. If you want to explore the city, make use of the hotel's bicycle and Mercedes Cabriole rental offers.
The hotel "Wiesler" is just one minute away from the "Kunsthaus" Graz and only a short distance from the city centre. The hotel houses a restaurant called "Speisesaal" and even a barbershop on the second floor, where "real men" can enjoy a professional shave.
The "Hotel zum Dom" is in the Palais Inzaghi on Bürgergasse alley. This boutique hotel is near the cathedral and is surrounded by many romantic al-
leys and squares, which will provide for many happy memories on your visit.
Public Transport
BUSSES
In front of the main station, the bus terminal of Holding Graz Linien connects Graz via several regional bus routes,
OEBB Intercity busses, as well as the southern motorway to the neighbouring state capital of Klagenfurt.
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TRAMWAY
Bus lines 1, 3, 6, and 7 stop at the main station. The "AltstadtBIM" tramway serves the downtown area for free. You can purchase tickets for the entire
public transportation network inside the tramways and busses. However, my tip is to buy them ahead of time at a ticket agency (like a tobacconist).
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SCHLOSSBERGBAHN
The Schlossbergbahn train has been taking visitors to the top of Graz's Schlossberg since 1894. Documents from the year 1528 already mention a train
on the Schlossberg, which was used to bring material to the top of the hill. A trip to the top takes about 90 seconds.
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SCHLOSSBERGLIFT
There is no faster and more comfortable way to climb the top of the Schlossberg than the elevator. The glass-elevator takes about 30 seconds to
reach the clock tower. The entryway also serves as entrance to a fairy-tale-themed cave train, which is particularly popular with families.
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JAKOMINIPLATZ
The “Jakominiplatz” (Jakomini Square) is the central traffic hub of the city of Graz. All tramway and many bus routes meet here. If you are taking public
transportation to the city centre of Graz, Jakomini Square is the ideal starting point for a walkabout through the city.
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Impressum
OBB Nightjet and OBB Nightjet Partner
AT13_EN_Graz © 2025
The team
This e-book was made possible through the kind support of the regional tourist offices and the OBB. German proofreading and editorial:Martin Andergassen. English version: Katie Lang
References
Text, videos and photos by Rudolf J. Strutz unless otherwise stated. Timetables and travel information: OBB
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