Graz (Slovene: Gradec, Hungarian: Grac) is the second-largest city in Austria after Vienna and the capital of the federal state of Styria. It has a population of 291,890 as of 2010 (of which 258.605 have principal residence status).
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Graz has a long tradition as a student city: its six universities have more than 44,000 students. Graz's "Old Town" is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe.
Politically and culturally, Graz was for centuries more important for Slovenes than Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, and still remains influential.
The Styrian capital of Graz offers a high quality of life, as a viable business location, as a center of science and research and with many cultural attractions. In Graz Info you will find an overview of the dynamic Murmetropole.
Graz as a city of human rights has high interest in lead citizens with disabilities a qualitative life. The lowering of sidewalks, traffic lights or acoustic Disabled toilet facilities are some of the projects to make the city accessible. With the disability Order Tens Telle a service institution for matters of any kind has been created. Also in regard to employment, the Murmetropole impressive: some 500 from Graz with disabilities have their jobs in the city - a number that Graz is Austria's leading in the field.
Places to visit in Graz:
The Clock Tower and Schlossberg: Right in the middle of the Old Town, you will find a tree-clad mountain, the Schlossberg. Once, a small castle was standing on this rock ledge giving the place its name. Later on it was replaced by a huge fortress which was blown up by Napoleon in 1809. Now only the BellTower and the Clock Tower, the friendly landmark of the city, remain.
Graz's Herrengasse: In the lively street you will find an almost Venetian looking palazzo with an impressive arcade courtyard in Renaissance style and the socalled“ Painted House” with a fresco facade showing gods from Greek-Roman mythology.
Mur Island: This steel construction shaped like a half-open shell is located in the middle of the Mur River.
It is used as an arena for art and culture, as a meeting place for the old and the young, and as a resting place for sun lovers.
Church of Our Lady of Succor and Minorite Cloister: The early-Baroque monastery with its two courts is located at the right shore of the Mur River. The main attraction inside the church is the painting of Virgin Mary by Pietro de Pomis.
Basilica Mariatrost: On the outskirts of Graz, located on top of a hill, you will find the pilgrimage church with two towers, which has attracted pilgrims since the 17th century.
Eggenberg Castle: A journey through space entrapped in a pompous surrounding: 365 windows, 31 rooms in each floor, 24 rooms of splendour with altogether 52 doors and 60 windows, and 4 corner towers. All of these are allusions to time; namely the four seasons of the year, weeks, days, hours and minutes.