The capital of the Steiermark state is located on the banks of the River Mur in the south of Austria. The old town of this former Hapsburg residence, UNESCO world heritage site, is a popular destination in Graz. A lively, maritime flair characterises the time-honoured alleys and plazas. One of the most famous sights of the city is the Dome of Graz, one of the most significant buildings in all of Steiermark. The cathedral is from the 15th century and was then Court Church of the Roman-German emperor. The ornate interior of this church impresses with late Gothic frescoes, a magnificent Baroque high altar with a delicately shaped group celebrating the Coronation of the Virgin and two precious reliquary caskets from the early Renaissance made of ivory.
In the old town of Graz, Schlossberg hill towers above the Mur River. A cable railway has been connected the Emperor Franz-Josef Quay with the hill since 1984. Apart from the clock tower, a famous landmark which was first mentioned in records in 1265 and the 98 metre deep Turkish Well from the 16th century, the entrance to the Dome in the Mountain is located here as well. This extraordinary event location is part of a tunnel system from the Second World War which is more than 6 kilometres long. The hall is 12 metres high and regularly houses events and exhibitions from economics, politics, science and culture. Be sure to have a look at the program while on your short trip to Graz.
The central junction Jakominiplatz is located to the south of the inner city district which is in the west of the city. While on your city trip to Graz, stop at one of the cosy cafés on the plaza and observe the lively activity in the pedestrian zone with its shops, banks and restaurants. The same district is home to the castle-like, four-storey guildhall from the 19th century. The massive buttes above the main portal are quite impressive, as are the artistic niche sculptures. During your short break, be sure to also see the interior of the guildhall which is adorned with beautiful wooden panelled ceilings and masterful paintings.
The Baroque palace Khuenburg in the Sackstraße, a cul-de-sac of the Innere Stadt district and the oldest street of Graz originating in the 12th century, was the birthplace of the Austrian crown prince Franz Ferdinand in 1863. He was the victim of an attack in 1914 in Sarajevo which ended up triggering the events of World War I. Today, the building is home to the city museum about the history and culture of Graz. A rarity is the apothecary museum with its fascinating pharmaceutical collection. The Künstlerhaus museum at Burgring has a collection of significant contemporary art and is always a great destination when travelling to Graz.
