Graz, Austria

Grazer Rathaus, the City Hall of Graz, Austria
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GrazerRathaus-edit.jpg
Author: Tamirhassan


Graz is the second biggest city in Austria. Located in the southeastern part of the country, it is also the state capital of Styria. Covering 127 sq km (29 sq mi), Graz has a population of 260,000 (2011 estimate). It is located at an average elevation of 353 m (1,158 ft). The city is in the Central European Time Zone, which is UTC+1, and in summer UTC+2 for Daylight Saving Time. Graz has a well-preserved Old Town. The historic centre of Graz has been recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Interior of Graz Railway Station
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GrazHbfinnen.JPG
Author: Linzer


Graz is about 200 km from Vienna, on the banks of the Mur River. It is divided into 17 districts namely Innere Stadt, St. Leonhard, Geidorf, Lend, Gries, Jakomini, Liebenau, St. Peter, Waltendorf, Ries, Mariatrost, Andritz, Gösting, Eggenberg, Wetzelsdorf, Straßgang and Puntigam.

The Graz area has seen evidence of human habitation going back to the Copper Age. However, there is no continuity of settlement before the Middle Ages. The city was first mentioned in AD 1128, when it grew to become an important trading town.

Walkway on Aiola Island, Graz
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aiola_island_5.JPG
Author: Zmurkobill


The royalties of the Inner Austrian line of Habsburgs rulers made Graz their residence in the 14th century. Based at Schloßberg Castle, they ruled over the surrounding lands which extend right into presently Italy and Slovenia.

Adolf Hitler visited Graz in 1938, the year he annexed Austria as part of Nazi Germany. During that time, the Jews of Graz faced severe persecution. The city received some Allied bombings during the Second World War, however its Old Town escaped major destruction.

City of Graz - Historic Centre

Today, the historic centre of Graz is one of the best-preserved Old Towns in central Europe. It was recognised as a World Heritage Site during the 23th session of the World Heritage Committee Graz was inscribed because it reflects artistic and architectural movements of the Germanic region, the Balkans and the Mediterranean, serving as a cultural crossroad for centuries. The historic centre of Graz is an exceptional example of the harmonious integration of the architectural styles from the successive periods. As a result, one can see buildings typical of each different age represented there.

Graz World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 47 04 23 E 15 26 19
Inscription Year: 1999
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: II, IV Night view of Graz from Schloßberg
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Graz_-_Blick_nach_Osten_vom_Schlo%C3%9Fberg_%28Blaue_Stunde%29.jpg
Author: Taxiarchos228

Visiting Graz

You can fly to Graz from major cities in Europe. The Graz Airport (GRZ) is less than six miles from downtown Graz. The airport train station is just 300 meters from the passenger terminal. There's a train to the Graz Main Station every hour. The fare is €1.90.

You can also take a train from major cities of Central Europe to reach Graz. There are direct trains from Vienna every hour, taking you to the Graz Main Station in downtown. An added benefit of taking the Graz-Vienna train is that it passes through the Semmering Railway Line, which itself is another World Heritage Site.

What to See in City of Graz Historic Centre

The following are some of the sights within the city of Graz.

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