Sights in Graz
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Prunkräume
The dominating theme of the 24 Prunkräume in the Schloss Eggenberg is astronomy and mythology. The Planet Hall, which is a riot of white stuccowork and baroque frescoes, is one highlight; the frescoes portray the seven planets (all that were then discovered), the four elements and the 12 signs of the zodiac.
Most rooms are devoted to one theme, including a Chinese room and a games room. Guided tours are conducted in German every hour on the hour, though an English translation is possible (enquire in advance).
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Schlossbergbahn
Rising to 473m, Schlossberg is the site of the original fortress that gave Graz its name. Its wooded slopes can be reached by a number of paths, with the funicular Schlossbergbahn from Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai, or by Glass Lift from Schlossbergplatz. Even Napoleon was hard-pressed to raze this fortress, but raze it he did. The whole area was later landscaped and today an open-air theatre, a great restaurant-bar and a small Garrison Museum are the legacy.
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Kunsthaus
Start your walk from the tourist office on Herrengasse and enormous on the bank of the On the bank of the Mur River is the Kunsthaus7. Designed by British architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, this world-class contemporary art space is a bold creation which looks something like a space-age sea slug. Exhibitions change every three to four months, and tours cover not only the exhibitions but also the building.
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Frida & Fred
The creation of FriDa & FreD, Graz’s first museum devoted to children, makes it even better. This small but fun-packed museum is aimed at kids up to the age of 12, and hosts workshops, exhibitions and theatre. Like any good children’s museum, it has loads of hands-on tasks and interactive displays.
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Alte Galerie
The Alte Galerie is the best among the museums housed within the Schloss, with exquisite paintings and sculpture dating from the Romanesque period through to the late baroque. The palace houses three other collections, which can be visited with admission to the Alte Galerie or Schloss itself.
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Burg
Southeast of Schlossberg is the city’s 15th-century Burg, now housing government offices. At the far end of the courtyard, on the left under the arch, is an ingenious double staircase (1499) – the steps diverge and converge as they spiral.
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Schlossberg Cave Railway
The Schlossberg Cave Railway, the longest grotto railway in Europe, is another highlight for the little ’uns. The trip, taking about 20 minutes, winds its way around fairy-tale scenes through tunnels once used as a safe haven from the allied bombings during WWII.
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Stadtpfarrkirche
The stained glass window of the Stadtpfarrkirche, southeast of the Landeszeughaus, is an interesting anomaly: the fourth panel from the bottom on the right (left of the high altar) clearly shows Hitler and Mussolini looking on as Christ is scourged.
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Uhrturm
Perched on the southern edge of Schlossberg is the city's emblem, the Uhrturm. In what must have been a good deal for Europe's modernising midget, the townsfolk paid Napoleon a ransom of 2987 florins and 11 farthings to spare the clock tower during the 1809 invasion.
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Rathaus
Hauptplatz, the main square from 1160, is dominated by another Renaissance gem, the Rathaus from 1550. The fountain in the centre is a monument to Johann, with four women at his feet representing Styria's main rivers - the Mur, Enns, Drau and Sann.
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Mausoleum of Ferdinand II
Construction by Italian architect Pietro de Pomis began in 1614, but the mausoleum was completed after Pomis’ death by Pietro Valnegro, while Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach chipped in with the exuberant stuccowork and frescoes inside.
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Schloss Eggenberg
Situated on the western fringes of the city (tram 1), Schloss Eggenberg was created for the Eggenberg dynasty in 1625. This splendid baroque palace was constructed by de Pomis at the request of Johann Ulrich (1568–1634).
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Murinsel
Murinsel is a man-made island-cum-bridge of metal and plastic in the middle of the Mur. This modern floating landmark contains a café, a kids' playground and a small stage. After crossing the island you reach Schlossbergplatz.
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Domkirche
Opposite the Burg is the Domkirche, a late-Gothic church dating from the 15th century that became a cathedral in 1786. The interior combines Gothic and baroque elements, with reticulated vaulting on the ceiling.
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Landeszeughaus
The Landeszeughaus will quite possibly rate as your favourite Austrian museum if you have a passion for armour and weapons. It houses an astounding array of gleaming pieces (more than 30,000 in fact).
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Landesmuseum Joanneum
The Landesmuseum Joanneum, founded in 1811, is Austria’s oldest museum and, with 19 locations, is pretty much the gardener of Graz’s rich cultural landscape.
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Landhaushof
Landhaushof is a stunning Italian Renaissance courtyard, a three-tiered gallery connected by walkways and one of the most celebrated examples of Renaissance architecture in Austria.
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Museum Der Wahrnehmung
Small but unusual collection that explores sensory illusions; the samadhi (meditative) bath is a therapeutic bath that relieves the body of all sensory input.
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Schlossberg
Rising to 473m, Schlossberg is the site of the original fortress that gave Graz its name. Its wooded slopes can be reached by a number of paths.
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Stadtmuseum
Stadtmuseum10, portraying the history of Graz and housing temporary exhibitions.
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Planetengarten
The parkland has a Planetengarten on the same Renaissance theme of planets.
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Parkland
The palace is set in parkland where peacock and deer roam among Roman stone reliefs.
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Volkskundemuseum
Museum devoted to folk art and lifestyle; highlights include 2000 years of traditional clothing.
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Kulturhistorische Sammlung
A museum with crafted applied arts from the Middle Ages to present.
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