Europe Travel Guide

From the earlier part of the 15th century Graz was the residence of the younger branch of the Habsburgs, which succeeded to the imperial throne in 1619 in the person of Emperor Ferdinand II. New fortifications were constructed at the end of the 16th century, but, following the defeat of Austria by Napoleonic forces at the Battle of Wagram in 1809, the fortifications were demolished using explosives, as stipulated in the peace terms of 1815. The belltower and the civic clock tower, often used as the symbol of Graz, were allowed to survive this fate after the people of Graz paid a ransom for their preservation.

In the last few years new public buildings have been erected within the city. The most famous ones are the “Kunsthaus” (house of modern art) by Peter Cook (architect) and Colin Fournier, a museum which is constructed right next to the river Mur, and the “Murinsel” (island in the Mur) which is an island made out of steel, situated in the river. It was designed by the American architect Vito Acconci and contains a cafeteria, an open-air theatre and a playground.

Olga Neuwirth, one of the most important contemporary Austrian composers was born here. Conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt, known throughout the world for his performances of classical works on period instruments, was raised in Graz, having been born in Berlin. Current California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has sometimes regarded himself as a Grazer, although he was born and raised in a small farming village, Thal, about 2 km from the city. The first austrian formular 1 champion Jochen Rindt was raised in Graz by his Grandmother.

Since 1999 the old town centre of Graz has been listed as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. During the year 2003 Graz had the title of “Cultural capital of Europe”.