Graz the city on the Mur

In less than an hour's drive you reach the Styrian capital Graz.

with its high quality of life as vivid economical centre, as a centre of research and development and with numerous cultural highlight. Graz is multifaceted. The Styrian capital represents history, is home to famous daughters and sons and at the same time is a dynamic business location with highest quality living for the citizens of Graz.

Whether traditional or modern: Graz can offer a wide range of interesting sights for every taste. You may want to follow the trails of the old chivalry in the Landeszeughaus, you may want to cast a glance at the historical World Cultural Heritage of the city centre, you may want to see the famous clock tower on Schlossberg or the new landmarks like the island in the river Mur or you may want to admire the Kunsthaus – Graz is always worth a visit!

The clock tower
Even though the clock on the tower, which is 28 metres high, has struck the hours punctually since 1712, you easily forget the time in the vicinities of this romantic landmark of Graz with its wonderful view of the city. The originally medieval defence tower obtained its current structure in around 1560, similarly to the striking wooden walkway for the fire brigade. There are three bells ringing from the clock tower. Three crests embellish the walls. People often come here as couples. To dream and to kiss. A truly uplifting location.

Castle mountain
Which town other than Graz can claim in the middle of the old town a wonderful wooden mountain to ramble? The Castle mountain. A castle which was located here on a rocky cliff of the mountain more than 1000 years ago also dubbed the town. Graz was derived from the Slavonic word Gradec for "little castle". And the little castle developed into a huge fortress. 1809 Napoleon ordered its blasting. Only the bell tower and the clock tower remain to this day.

Kunsthaus Graz
Extraterrestrials in the World Culture Heritage Graz? Like a huge shining blue bubble the landmark of the new Graz floats over the right bank of the river Mur. Since October 2003 the Kunsthaus – lovingly dubbed "Friendly Alien" by its creators Peter Cook and Colin Fournier – attracts with spectacular architecture and diverse exhibitions of contemporary arts. Not only that. It is also a symbol for the harmonious interplay between old and new in Graz. It has grown out of the Iron House, a building which in 1848 caused a stir as one of the first cast iron buildings on the continent.

The opera house of Graz
The second biggest opera house of Austria. Stepping stone for musicians. "Opera House of the Year" in 2001. Striking attributes for the house on the ring which was build in 1899 after plans from the architects Fellner and Helmer who were active in the whole of Europe. Since 1992 Hartmut Skerbisch's steel sculpture "light sword" provides a fascinating contrast to the neo-baroque building. The sculpture stands as a symbol for openness and tolerance in Graz, the city of human rights.