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