Graz and Styria

Austria’s second-largest city and the capital of the state of Styria (Steiermark in German), Graz masterfully combines tradition with innovation. The city’s multifaceted character is clearly visible in some of its best-known landmarks, such as the world-renowned Kunsthaus Graz – a contemporary art museum designed by British architect Peter Cook in the early 2000s and informally known as “The Friendly Alien” -, and the Johanneum Quarter cultural complex. Dominated by the Schlossberg hill with the remains of a 16th-century castle, the historical heart of Graz – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999,  is plenty of monumental buildings and cultural attractions, the venue for popular events such as the Elevate Festival of music and art, and, last but not the least, where to eat some of Austria’s best Wiener schnitzels.

Above: the Hauptplatz square in the historic center of Graz; photo Bernd Thaller.