Page 568 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

566  GERM AN Y , A USTRIA , AND SWITZERLAND

The historic center of Graz, overlooked by the thickly-wooded Schlossberg
2 Eisenstadt
P Schloss Esterházy completed in 1500. To the south
* 14,000. £ @ n Hauptstrasse Esterházyplatz. Tel 02682-719 3000. are the late-Gothic Cathedral of
35 (02682-673 90). Open Apr–mid-Nov: 10am–5pm St. Ägydius, with its striking
∑ eisenstadt-tourismus.at daily; mid-Nov–Dec: Fri–Sun. & Baroque interior, and the
Mausoleum of Ferdinand II,
The main attraction of Eisenstadt 3 Graz designed by the Italian Pietro de
is the grand residence of the Pomis in the late 17th century.
Esterházy princes, the Hungarian * 265,000. k 9 km (6 miles) S. £ The Universalmuseum
aristocrats who claimed to be @ n Herrengasse 16 (0316-807 50). Joanneum includes the Neue
descendants of Attila. Schloss Galerie (New Gallery), previously
Esterházy was built for Prince Almost entirely surrounded by housed in the Herberstein Palace,
Paul Esterházy in 1663–73. In the mountains, Graz is Austria’s and the Natural History Museum.
Haydnsaal, a huge hall of state second largest city. During the The Alte Galerie (Old Gallery) at
decorated with 18th-century Middle Ages, its importance Schloss Eggenberg (see below)
frescoes, the famous composer rivaled that of Vienna. In the late houses the Archaeology Museum
Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) 14th century, the Habsburg and a notable coin collection.
conducted the family orchestra. Duke Leopold III chose Graz as Also of interest is the
Haydn lived on Haydngasse, and his base, and in the following Landeszeughaus, with its
his house is now a museum. He century, the town played a vital impressive array of over 30,000
is buried in the Bergkirche, strategic role in the war against weapons and pieces of armor.
west of the palace. the invading Turks.
Until World War II, Eisen stadt The city is dominated by the E Universalmuseum Joanneum
had a large Jewish community, Schlossberg, the huge hill on Joanneumsviertel 5. Tel 0316-8017
and there is a Jewish Museum which the town’s medieval 9716. Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun. &
near the palace. defenses were built. During ∑ museum-joanneum.at
the Napoleonic Wars, Graz was
occupied by French troops, Environs
who blew up most of the A few kilometers west of the city,
fortifications in 1809. Among the Schloss Eggenberg was built by
ruins visible today are a 28 m Johann Ulrich von Eggenberg in
(92 ft) high clock tower, the 1625–35. Open daily, the
Uhrturm, dating from 1561, and Baroque palace houses the
the Glockenturm (bell tower), Alte Galerie (an archaeology
from 1588. The former houses museum), a collection of
the Schlossbergmuseum, with local prehistoric finds, coins,
exhibits illustrating the history antiquities, and gemstones. Its
of Graz. From the summit of the rich collection of paintings
hill, there are splendid views. includes works by Lucas Cranach
At the foot of the Schlossberg the Elder (1472–1553) and Peter
lies the Old Town, a UNESCO Brueghel the Younger (1564–
World Heritage site. The 1638). There are displays of
Schloss Esterházy, a mix of Baroque medieval Burg (fortress) was stuffed animals in the Jagd-
and Neoclassical styles built in several stages and museum (Hunting Museum).
For hotels and restaurants see p574 and p575

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