Page 166 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

164  A USTRIA REGION B Y REGION

1 Graz: Street-by-Street

Graz, the capital of Styria, is the second largest city in
Austria. During the Middle Ages it was the seat of a junior
branch of the Habsburg family, and later of Emperor
Friedrich III. The legacy of the Habsburgs is Graz’s lovely
Altstadt (Old Town), one of the best preserved in Central
Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Graz was
also a stronghold against Turkish incursions.
The modern city extends from the foot of Schlossberg
(Castle Mountain), on both sides of the Mur river. Graz is
famed for its universities, architecture, cultural attractions Haus am Luegg
and culinary traditions. It hosts two classical music festivals This town house at Nos 11
each year, one in the summer at the Music College and the & 12 Hauptplatz (c.1690)
“Styriarte”, as well as the avant-garde “Styrian Autumn”. has a striking façade, with
Renaissance frescoes and
early Baroque stucco work.
Rathaus
The new town hall, built in the late 19th
century on the southern side of Rathausplatz,
replaced the smaller Renaissance palace that
had previously occupied the same site.
Hauptplatz
The Old Town’s triangular F Ä R B E R G A S S E
main square is surrounded
by 17th-century
town houses. H E R R E N G A S S E

A L B R E C H T G A S S E

L A N D H A U S G A S S E

. Landhaus
The inner courtyard of this government
building has three magnificent storeys S C H M I E D G A S S E
of arcaded Renaissance galleries.

. Landeszeughaus
The jewel of this old armoury, the
largest in the world that has
been preserved intact, is the
collection of weapons from
Austria’s 16th- and 17th-century Key
Turkish wars (see pp168–9). Suggested route
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp295–6 and pp318–20

164-165_EW_Austria.indd 164 12/09/17 2:45 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 15th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm