| Graz - the capital of the federal state of | | | | finished with. Its heart has been beating for |
| Styria with a population of about 242.000. | | | | Graz from1712 - and still it has its original |
| Graz is a huge city (the second largest city | | | | clockwork and one of the oldest bells in the |
| in Austria), but still it is filled with | | | | country. Numerous love stories twine around |
| rather a provincial atmosphere. And it is | | | | the tower just like the ivy. By the way, this |
| impossible not to fall in love with it. | | | | is also the symbol of the city - many couples |
| Unlike in many other cities, tourists are | | | | kiss here for the first time. |
| greeted here warmly. It can be compared to | | | | Landeszeughaus, the armoury next to the |
| the house which isn't being cleaned before | | | | Landhaus is a true work of art. Starting from |
| arrival of the guests only - on the opposite, | | | | 1551 various types of armory have been kept |
| its doors are always opened for you. | | | | here, that is why this is one of the largest |
| Still, Graz is only a small part of Styria. | | | | armouries of the kind. A good proof is that |
| But those who want to feel the true spirit of | | | | there are more than 30.000 exhibits kept |
| the land should start with this city. Graz, | | | | here. Rathaus, or the City Hall is |
| together with adjoining villages, is both | | | | located in the southern side of the main |
| ancient and modern. Graz is the capital and | | | | square, liven up by a great amount of market |
| the best place to make a trip from city to | | | | stalls. This is the third city hall - the |
| the countryside and back. This place is full | | | | previous ones were standing on the same |
| of life. Graz also has a long history | | | | place. Landhaus. Graz is the city of |
| which starts approximately 900 years ago. | | | | Italian Renaissance, a good example of which |
| According to one story, in the middle ages | | | | is the yard surrounded with arcade. The house |
| the city was a wonderful residence of the | | | | and the yard are true masterpieces created by |
| Habsburgs and thanks to this it has one of | | | | Domenico dell'Allio (built in the 16th |
| the best-preserved historic centres in the | | | | century). Nowadays the federal state |
| Middle Europe. Its story is romantic, which | | | | parliament of Styria resides here, and |
| is seen from a great number of its hidden | | | | various concerts and performances are |
| courtyards, Renaissance buildings and | | | | organized at the opened stage in front of the |
| southern atmosphere full of love. And, | | | | Landhaus. Burg (castle complex) is a |
| finally, it's the story of contrasts: | | | | spectacular building and the residence of the |
| classics and jazz, tradition and modern, | | | | government of Styria. This is the place to |
| literature, festivals… and, of course, | | | | rest your eyes upon a famous double winding |
| lots of things to see. Schlossberg. A | | | | stairs built in 1499 in a gothic style. This |
| castle hill that rises 473 meters above a | | | | is what you should definitely see. And, |
| unique landscape. In past there was a | | | | finally, Oper Graz, the opera house. Built in |
| fortress located here which, however, was | | | | 1898-1899 by the project of the most famous |
| ruined. There are many ways you can raise on | | | | theatre architects in Europe - Fellner and |
| the mountain, the most convenient of which is | | | | Helmer. This is an impressive combination of |
| a rope-way which is in fact a funicular. | | | | modern and traditional: the steel sculpture |
| Uhrturm clocktower is the symbol of the city | | | | "light sword" by Hartmut Skerbisch is a |
| and an attraction which every excursion is | | | | symbol of openness to the world. |