Styria

Graz: City of Design

Graz, its' capital, blends Renaissance and Baroque architecture with modern designs such as the Murinsel, an artificial island made of glass and steel, and the alienlike Kunsthaus, a contemporary art museum. The Armoury museum is the world's largest museum of its kind with more than 32, 000 objects on display. The funicular that runs up the Schlossberg, a hill topped by the Uhrturm, a 16th-century clock tower to get the best view of the rooftops of Graz.

From Mountains to castles, and chocolate

The Dachstein mountain is the hightest peak (2,995 metre / 9,826 feet) in Styria and invites you to experience the Dachstein glacier by simply taking a gondola up to the mountain top. A visit of the mighty Riegersburg Castle and get a view of the entire eastern part of Styria. Reward yourself and visit the Zotter Chocolate Factory, located just a stone throw away from the castle and learn how chocolate is made from the cocoa bean to the final chocolate bar.

Treasures worth a visit

Encounter high culture even in remote corners of Styria: Admont Abbey, which houses the world's largest cloister library is a true jewel located in the Gesäuse natural park. The Basilika in Mariazell, is a popular pilgrimage site with a magnificent high altar that is dramatically located in the pre-alpine region of Styria. The romantic Gardenpalace Herberstein is hidden in the forrest of the naturepark of the Feistritztal Valley. The Stainz castle on the other hand lies idyllically amidst vineyards and fruit orchards, and now houses a hunting museum.