Graz, UNESCO World Heritage Site - a mini-documentary about Austria's second city.
From the narration:
With a population approaching a third of a million, this is Austria’s second largest city after Vienna.
In 1999, the city's historic centre was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
Graz was designated the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2003 and its centre is a colourful and eclectic mix of different influences, from Medieval to the Renaissance, Baroque, Art Deco and ultra-modern. It’s worth walking the streets and pausing every so often to take in the architecture and rich history of the city.
Graz became a City of Culinary Delights in 2008. The city is surrounded by lush farmland and peaceful wine country. As a foodie, you’ll feel right at home in Graz: You’ll find local cuisine using regional and seasonal products at every corner, and there’s plenty of international cuisine too. On our first evening we had traditional Backhendl and on the second we enjoyed a Vietnamese meal. Whether it’s a meal or a quick drink, the cafés, bars and restaurants of Graz have got it covered.
The Graz Art Museum, or Kunsthaus has been called “The Friendly Alien” because of its unusual design and it is one of the architectural landmarks of the city. It was built as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2003.
Graz is southeast of the Alps, and due to its position its climate is influenced by the Mediterranean.
In fact, walking around, enjoying the atmosphere and sitting outside at one of the many pavement cafés or bars the city certainly has a Mediterranean, rather than alpine, feel. Graz is about 350 metres above sea level and it can certainly get cold in the winter. But in summer temperatures are generally pleasant.
Graz is an easy city to get around, with an efficient Straßenbahn, or tram, system. The tram from the railway station is fast and efficient and there are several lines with a length totalling about 70 kilometres.
Don’t forget to validate your ticket when you climb aboard, inserting it into the machine inside the car. If you have a multiple journey ticket, you only need to validate it the first time you use it.
The trams in Graz are good value for money. Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines on the tram or at selected locations in the city.
Or you can buy online.
Graz is situated on the River Mur, which rises in the Central Eastern Alps in Austria. The Mur's total length is around 464 kilometres (288 mi).
The Murinsel, or Mur island is an artificial floating island in the middle of the river in Graz city centre, and it can be reached from either riverbank via a footbridge.
There are also plenty of other bridges connecting the city on each side of the river.
Once you reach the city centre, it’s worth heading up the Grazer Schloßberg, which is a massive Dolomite rock that forms the core of the historic old town of the city.
It rises 123 metres above the eastern side of the Mur river.
We found the Klyo restaurant on Schloßbergplatz a nice spot to stop for a drink and it’s right in front of the Schloßberg.
The pigeon fountain in the Schloßbergplatz was created in the late 1940s by the artist Walter Ritter.
From Schloßbergplatz you can reach the clock tower by climbing over 260 steps up the Kriegsteig stairway, which has viewing platforms. When you get to the top you will be next to the Schloßberg Uhrturm, or clock tower.
Another way to reach the top is by the lift which ascends inside the mountain. It’s reached by walking past the steps and through a tunnel to the lift shaft. You’ll also fish a Märchenbahn, or fairy tale train, in here.
Another alternative route up the mountain is the funicular railway, but this was closed when we visited.
The Grazer Uhrturm is a 28 metre high Clock tower standing on Schloßberg and with clock dials over 5 meters in diameter and gold-plated hands it is a major landmark in Graz.
There’s plenty else to see on the Schlossberg, such as the Hackher Lion, a replica of the original which honours Major Franz Hackher, who in 1809 led the defence of Schloßberg against a French attack.
And the Chinese Pavilion, with its views over the city, was built around 1890.
As we explored the city, right in the centre we found the historic Hauptplatz, which was the central market square of Graz from about 1160. The current Rathaus, or City Hall, was built between 1805 and 1807 in a classical style.
Leading off the Hauptplaz is Herrengasse, a baroque boulevard running parallel to the river.
Here we admired the Herzogshof, a building whose front is painted.
A short walk from Herrengasse is the Grazer Dom, or Graz Cathedral.
Construction of the late Gothic style building started in 1438.
It is richly decorated inside and features a baroque high altar.
The pulpit, was built in 1710 and features elaborate, high-baroque decor.
Nearby is the mausoleum of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II, who died in 1637.
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