Graz - cultural capital
Some towns are like good acquaintances one doesn´t meet every week. There are always bound to be surprises. Graz is like that. Suddenly the town gets up earlier, goes to bed later and looks fitter and more relaxed than ever. The renovations for 2003 evidently show their effects. Now the cultural capital is relaxed and traditional at the same time - it is a town with a difference.
The Old Town
If you walk through the old town you can enjoy an object lesson in Romanticism, Baroque, Historism, Gothic and Jugenstil. From the Schlossberg hill you have a fantastic view of the roofs of the old town. Romantic lanes, Italian-like palazzi and impressive houses try to win the on-lookers´ attention.
UNESCO experts were so impressed of the many fascinating details of this old town, that the old town was declared being a World Heritage Site.
Cultural Summer
Contemporary architects of the "School of Graz" group point the way to the future of this town. They are part of a lively cultural life that is marked by numerous festival of institutions.
The "styriarte" music festival with its star conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt, the "steirische herbst" festival as a checkpoint of cultural developments, the "Graz erzählt" story telling festival, the "La Strada" street theater festivak, the "Diagonale" film festival, the theater, the opera, stages, museums, galleries guarantee a great cultural summer!
Schlossberg mountain
The small green hill (474m) with the Uhrturm tower on top is the undisputed landmark of Graz. A must-see when you're in Graz. From the Schlossberg hill you enjoy a fantastic view of the red-roofed houses of Graz. Especially impressive is the Uhrturm tower with its gigantic clock face and the reversed hands. An intersting way to get on top of the Schlossberg hill is the Kriegsteig trail with its 260 steps. Of course you can also take the lift or elevator.
Winter - Advent in Graz
The Christmas decoration of the old town of Graz is unique. "Art with Light" is the motto. The facade of the Rathaus building will turn into a giant Advent calendar. Highlight of the Graz Advent are the Advent Treff market at the Eiserne Tor and several smaller markets in the center of the old town. The nativity scene made of ice at the Graz Landhaushof is another crowd-puller.
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