GRAZ
Not too far from Vienna, on the Mur River, the traveler
will reach the City of Graz, the capital and largest
city of Styria, or Steiermark in German. The city
derives its name from the times when the Slovenians
built a small castle in the area - a "gradec". The
German name is "Graz" and was first used in 1128. Later
Graz came under Habsburgs' rule and became royal city of
residence, which turned it into a significant commercial
center. The vision of the city was transformed in the
16th century by Domenico dell'Allio in Renaissance style,
the Landhaus being a prominent example of this period.
The spirit of bygone times is still alive in Graz's "Old
Town", which was added on UNESCO's list of world
cultural heritage sites in 1999. Graz was also awarded
the title of "Cultural Capital of Europe" for 2003. The
city, especially its historical center, has earned its
fame because of the seamless synthesis of architectural
styles that have succeeded one another in time. Legends
have it that it was the Devil himself who created
Schlossberg, the hill which is right in the middle of
the Graz. Whatever the truth is, there is no doubt that
Schlossberg was where Graz began as a small castle that
grew into a big fortress. The fortress was destroyed by
Napoleon, but two of the best known landmarks in the
city were rescued by its citizens - the Clock Tower and
the Bell Tower. The clock has been ticking away time
since 1712, although now the mechanism works
electronically. In the Bell Tower you find the largest
and heaviest bell in Graz, called the "Liesl". When you
visit the Schlossberg, choose what suits you best - the
Schlossbergtreppe, consisting of 260 steps, or the
Schlossbergerbahn, a glass lift that will give you a
breathtaking panoramic view.
If you take interest in the past, a tour to the Town
Hall, the Landhaus, Glockenspielplatz, Sackstrasse,
Herrengasse with its famous Painted House, and many
other noteworthy sights, is a must. However, you
shouldn't miss the futuristic architecture of Graz. Many
of the most attractive places in the city are the fruit
if urban genius and imagination. The Mur Island, an
artificial shell-shaped island in the Mur River, was
designed by New York artist Vito Acconci for Graz 2003 -
Cultural Capital of Europe, but the people of Graz loved
it and now its amphitheater and hip café attract
hundreds of visitors. Another two high-tech buildings
that catch the eye are the Kunsthaus, designed by two
London architects, nickname "the Spacelab", and Graz's
Botanical Garden, which houses plants from four climate
zones - there you could also enjoy readings, listen to
music or have a cup of coffee.
At the end of a day packed with experiences, of course,
what you need most will be a nice meal and a relaxing
ambiance. Graz does offer you a wide selection of cafés,
restaurants and Buschenschaenken, or traditional wine
taverns. For the fans of trendy cafés, Buddha Bar or the
Mur Island café are to be recommended. Operncafé and
Café Sacher Graz will cater for more conservative tastes.
To feel like a real Grazer, visit the Goldene Pastete
Restaurant, where you will relish local specialties and
wines in a rustic and lush atmosphere. Lovers of
theatrical luxury should go to stylish Restaurant Johan
and get a medieval and postmodern feel at the same time. |