Historic Centre of Graz, Graz, Austria

Graz old town is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe. The oldest settlement on the ground of the modern city of Graz dates back to the Chalcolithic Age. However, no historical continuity exists of a settlement before the Middle Ages. During the 12th century, dukes under Babenberg rule made the town into an important commercial center. Later, Graz came under the rule of the Habsburgs, and in 1281, gained special privileges from King Rudolph I.

In the 14th century, Graz became the city of residence of the Inner Austrian line of the Habsburgs. The royalty lived in the Schloßberg castle and from there ruled Styria, Carinthia, most of today's Slovenia, and parts of Italy.

In the 16th century, the city's design and planning were primarily controlled by Italian Renaissance architects and artists. One of the most famous buildings built in this style is the Landhaus, designed by Domenico dell'Allio, and used by the local rulers as a governmental headquarters.

Graz bear witness to an exemplary model of the living heritage of a central European urban complex influenced by the secular presence of the Habsburgs and the cultural and artistic role played by the main aristocratic families. They are a harmonious blend of the architectural styles and artistic movements that have succeeded each other from the Middle Ages until the 18th century, in the many neighbouring regions of Central and Mediterranean Europe. They embody a diversified and highly comprehensive ensemble of architectural, decorative and landscape examples of these interchanges of influence.

In 1999, Graz was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites, and the site was extended in 2010 by Schloss Eggenberg.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Asiyah Noemi Koso (6 months ago)
Altstadt is a wonderful part of Graz ( the old town ). We were impressed with the architecture, facades of buildings, churches and palaces. Simply beautiful and enchanting. The old town of Graz is best explored on foot or by bicycle. The narrow historic streets and streets in the old town of Graz with beautiful cafes, bakeries ( Austria's oldest bakeries ) and restaurants are delighted to us. When we are walking down the Old Town like walking through the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque. Because the spirit of the old era are still present. Graz is a city with countless museums, opera, home of modern art, galleries ..... Graz is also the capital of pleasure, because in many restaurants are well cooking and also in many pastry shops are very good desserts. Graz is romantic and charming.

Prem Prasad (6 months ago)
Amazing pumpkin seed icecream!!

Leila Farahi (6 months ago)
Great place to be in

Marcin Szekiel (8 months ago)
Stunning old town, with many alleys to walk around and picturesque buildings

A Griffiths (14 months ago)
The 'old' town is very pretty (classic architecture is fabulous in places). Steeped in history and some great pieces of art on show. We enjoyed our visit. Some very interesting finds.My children enjoyed the parks and climbs. Modern sections are hard to navigate, the traffic systems are confusing and very busy. Easier to catch a bus/tram/train into the city. I am a very confident driver (a former go kart champion 2006 I am in the style of Jenson Button) some sections reminded me of racing circuits with fast corners (even in the city), take extra care of tram lines. I did struggle at times at the traffic lights as cars raced off around me. My car is only a 3 cylinder Fiat it sounds good. Parking can be expensive in places. You have to be careful not to park in expensive places that get locked early in the evening after 9.00pm it is a long night otherwise with no vehicle only walking around alone and cold. Andrew

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

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Historic Site of the week

Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba

The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, also known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba and the Mezquita is regarded as one of the most accomplished monuments of Moorish architecture.

According to a traditional account, a small Visigoth church, the Catholic Basilica of Saint Vincent of Lérins, originally stood on the site. In 784 Abd al-Rahman I ordered construction of the Great Mosque, which was considerably expanded by later Muslim rulers. The mosque underwent numerous subsequent changes: Abd al-Rahman II ordered a new minaret, while in 961 Al-Hakam II enlarged the building and enriched the Mihrab. The last of such reforms was carried out by Almanzor in 987. It was connected to the Caliph"s palace by a raised walkway, mosques within the palaces being the tradition for previous Islamic rulers – as well as Christian Kings who built their palaces adjacent to churches. The Mezquita reached its current dimensions in 987 with the completion of the outer naves and courtyard.

In 1236, Córdoba was conquered by King Ferdinand III of Castile, and the centre of the mosque was converted into a Catholic cathedral. Alfonso X oversaw the construction of the Villaviciosa Chapel and the Royal Chapel within the mosque. The kings who followed added further Christian features, such as King Henry II rebuilding the chapel in the 14th century. The minaret of the mosque was also converted to the bell tower of the cathedral. It was adorned with Santiago de Compostela"s captured cathedral bells. Following a windstorm in 1589, the former minaret was further reinforced by encasing it within a new structure.

The most significant alteration was the building of a Renaissance cathedral nave in the middle of the expansive structure. The insertion was constructed by permission of Charles V, king of Castile and Aragon. Artisans and architects continued to add to the existing structure until the late 18th century.

Architecture

The building"s floor plan is seen to be parallel to some of the earliest mosques built from the very beginning of Islam. It had a rectangular prayer hall with aisles arranged perpendicular to the qibla, the direction towards which Muslims pray. The prayer hall was large and flat, with timber ceilings held up by arches of horseshoe-like appearance.

In planning the mosque, the architects incorporated a number of Roman columns with choice capitals. Some of the columns were already in the Gothic structure; others were sent from various regions of Iberia as presents from the governors of provinces. Ivory, jasper, porphyry, gold, silver, copper, and brass were used in the decorations. Marvellous mosaics and azulejos were designed. Later, the immense temple embodied all the styles of Morisco architecture into one composition.

The building is most notable for its arcaded hypostyle hall, with 856 columns of jasper, onyx, marble, granite and porphyry. These were made from pieces of the Roman temple that had occupied the site previously, as well as other Roman buildings, such as the Mérida amphitheatre. The double arches were an innovation, permitting higher ceilings than would otherwise be possible with relatively low columns. The double arches consist of a lower horseshoe arch and an upper semi-circular arch.

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