Austria’s second-largest city is its most relaxed. Graz is an appealing place dotted with leafy green parkland, a sea of red rooftops and a narrow but fast-flowing river loudly gushing through its centre. A very beautiful bluff – connected to the centre by steps, a funicular and a glass lift – is the city’s signature attribute.
The roots of Graz can be traced back to Roman times, when a small fort was built where the city centre is today; Slovenians later built a larger fortress in the same place. The name “Graz” is derived from the Slovenian word gradec, which means small castle. Graz was first mentioned with its German name in 1128 when the dukes of Babenberg turned the place into a commercial centre. During 15th century Graz became the capital of Inner Austria (refering to Styria, Carinthia and Carniola) under the Habsburgs.
Graz has a rich history in education manifested by the number of universities in the city. The first university was founded in 1585 (Karl-Franzens-Universität).
Architecturally, Graz hints at nearby Italy with its Renaissance courtyards and baroque palaces. That said, there’s a youthful energy here too, with a handful of edgily modern buildings, a vibrant arts scene and great nightlife (thanks in part to its large student population (some 50,000 in four universities). This extends to both sides of the Mur, although the Lend district, across from the historic centre, skews young and edgy.
Graz is also known for the Magna Steyr (formerly called Steyr-Daimler-Puch) automobile and truck manufacturing plant located there.
It is also the birthplace (in nearby Thal) of bodybuilder, actor and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Graz airport (IATA: GRZ), (Flughafen Graz – also known as Thalerhof) , around 9 km south of the city centre.
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