About Graz

Photobucket
Graz's landmark clocktower atop the Schlossberg
mountain (hill) in the center of Graz

Graz (pronounced 'Gratz') is the second-largest city in Austria after Vienna (pop: 292,000) and the capital of the Austrian federal state of Styria.  It's situated on the Mur river, in the southeast corner of Austria. 

Photobucket
View of the Schlossberg gardens and the city from the top of the mountain
Graz's "Old Town" is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe. In 1999, it was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites and was sole Cultural Capital of Europe for 2003 and received the title of a City of Culinary Delights in 2008.

Photobucket
The main street downtown: Herrengasse
In my own words:  Graz is a charming, historic European city...small and intimate and a bit old-fashioned.  It's situated in the valley of the beautiful Steiermark region, minutes away from rolling green hills and mountains with classic Austrian homes adorned in flowers.  Just what you probably picture when you think of Austria.

It's not as well known to travelers as Vienna or Salzburg, which makes it less 'touristy' and more 'authentic'.  It's the perfect size to get around by foot or by the great public tram/bus system...not too big, not too small.  Lots of culture, street festivals, delicious, locally grown food and charming neighborhoods.   A few bad parts: river could be less dookie brown, the graffiti, fickle weather, closing of everything early and on Sundays and sub-par shopping. Overall, Graz is really pretty wondey.  Take a gander....

{Read more here.}

Photobucket
View from a Buschenschank just south of Graz towards the wine region area
Photobucket
35 minutes outside of Graz from atop the Schöckl mountain
Photobucket
Overview of Graz (the Schlossberg mountain in the center of the city)
Photobucket
Schloss Eggenberg castle
Photobucket
More clocktower (Art & Elsie) on the Schlossberg
Photobucket

Photobucket
View from atop the Schlossberg
Photobucket
Quaint café nestled in the Schlossberg
Photobucket
Daily Farmers' Market

Photobucket 
Rathaus (City Hall) in the Hauptplatz (Main square downtown)
Photobucket
Mariatrost suburbs in Graz
Photobucket
The Murinsel and the Schlossberg
Photobucket
Beautiful flowers everywhere in spring
Photobucket
Stadtpark (city park)

Photobucket
On the main downtown street
Photobucket
Our church grounds
Photobucket
Christmas in Graz
Photobucket
Christmas markets
Photobucket
Winter days
Photobucket
Our church, Herz Jesu Kirche
Photobucket
Sporgasse street in the Old Town (downtown)
Photobucket
Stadtpark
Photobucket
During the Aufsteiren Festival...everyone in classic Austrian dress
Photobucket
Glockenspielplatz
Photobucket
Neighborhood near us

{all photos mine}