Local Night Clubs

Hello From Austria: hiking in the Raabklamm and a visit to Graz (II)

I continued my journey in the center of Graz and parked my car in the garage next to Graz Opera – in more than 20 euros is not exactly a cheap way to see the city, but parking is hard to find affordable in the center of Graz My first stop was at the Graz Opera House, a neo-baroque building which opened in 1899 and damaged in an air raid in World War II. A few steps farther west I came to the Herrengasse, Graz main shopping street, surrounded by dozens of luxury retailers and restaurants with terraces. A rail system remains in Graz over this main street.

The western side has two large Herrengasse to see: the Landeszeughaus (Armory), a museum of arms with about 32,000 parts, including harnesses, helmets, body armor, rifles and pistols, and the Landhaus, seat of the provincial government of Styria. One of the most beautiful structures in Central Europe Renaissance palace that was built in the first half of the 16th century according to plans of renowned architect Domenico dell'Allio. The arcaded courtyard with three levels is an architectural gem, and the southern end of the square, Landhauskeller can relax in the historic restaurant has a beautiful courtyard garden.

On the other side of the Herrengasse is "Gemalto Haus" – also called the "Herzogshof" (Painted House Estate and Duke), a house painted with Baroque frescoes were created in 1742 by Johann Mayer and illustrate the gods of the Greco-Roman mythology. A few steps north arrived at the "Grazer Hauptplatz, or main square of Graz This essentially triangular main square is bordered on two sides by five and six-story, stately homes painted in a variety of Baroque intense colors like salmon, ocher, red brick, and have many detailed facade ornaments.

The southern part of the place is taken by the "Rathaus" – historicist extravagant century palace of the late 19th century Graz City Hall. A little later, is the Erzherzog Johann Brunnen (Archduke John Fontana) which is surrounded by many fast food restaurants and stands adjacent retail typical Austrian sausages, French fries, flowers and magazines, as roasted chestnuts in the fall. The northeastern part of the main square offers a view of the most famous of Graz: the "Uhrturm (Clock Tower), located in Schlossberg hill overlooking the city.

I continued my way north through the pedestrian zone along the historic Sackstrasse and entered a restaurant that is the story: the Krebsenkeller (cave crayfish) was a restaurant here since 1538 and its courtyard full of culinary fans. Across the street famous Hotel Erzherzog Johann is also a restaurant since 1852. A few steps farther north, I went in another historic building where the court was adorned with a metal sculpture that, surprisingly, a whole class football.

Schlossbergplatz meters is called, a place surrounded by restaurants and houses of the historical city of stairs to the Schlossberg. I then crossed the road and headed south along the river Mur in one of the last milestones in Graz: the "Murinsel" (Mur Island) was built in 2003, Graz, when it was the European cultural capital. The New York designer Vito Acconci created a design of an artificial island that connects the east and west banks of the Mur and is supposed that looks like a shell. The interior of the island houses an amphitheater, a restaurant and a playground for children.

Now I have to study a higher elevation city, the Schlossberg (literally "Castle Hill"). It did so by taking the funicular Schlossbergbahn part of the public transport system Graz funicular steam original opened in November 1894 and ran until 1960. After an extensive renovation and reconstruction of steep roads, the funicular started operations again in 1961 until it closed its doors in February 2004.

The third generation of the funicular was launched in early 2004 and cost about 2.5 million euros. The new generation of vehicles is more spacious and have fully glazed roofs and windows that offer a magnificent view of the city you ride in the mountains. It takes just over two minutes left of the base station up to 123 m in altitude station and at a cost of 1.70 euros, is a accessible and interesting to stand in the famous hill in Graz

At the top I on the terrace of a restaurant that offers a spectacular view of Graz and the surrounding mountains. Within seconds I saw the Glockenturm ("Bell Tower"), a 1588 historic building that retains a bell that weighs 4200 kg and is called Liesl. The Schlossberg used have a medieval castle from the 1500s (hence the name "Castle Hill"), which has been condemned to be destroyed by Napoleon in 1809. Only bell tower and symbol of the city of Graz, the Uhrturm, were allowed to remain in the fortress. Local residents have paid a considerable ransom to the French troops to keep their beloved places.

Walk south to the Stallbastei Glockenturm I ("Stable Today Bastion"), a fortification that has 20 meters high and 6 meters thick walls whose construction began in 1544., Different weapons adorn the bastion and the front of this building is a magnificent view of the city. Just below the fortress is the Türkenbrunnen "(So in Turkish), 94 meters deep, so take advantage of the groundwater level of the river Mur. His intention was to provide water even during long periods of siege.

Uhrturm himself now known as the symbol of Graz, is one of the buildings ancient city. The core of the tower is supposed to go back to the 13th century and has already been mentioned in historical documents in 1265. Its present appearance dates from 1560. Four large clock faces adorn the four sides of the tower, and interesting thing to note is that the hour hand is smaller than the needle minutes.

Originally, the tower only includes a large needle of hours and minutes later were installed had to be designed so that the little people are able to distinguish one from another. Fortunately, Thanks to the ransom paid in 1809, the tower has survived and can still admired today, while the rest of the fort was razed. The tower was also used as a fire alarm bell, as sinners, the bell of "poor" who was beaten during the executions, and the bell announced the deadline for local host institutions.

Just below the Uhrturm is a small garden surrounded by flowers that offers a splendid view the city and the Plaza de Armas. I started make my way through the winding paths of the Schlossberg, as in the park and stopped at the entrance to the Schlossbergstollen (Schlossberg tunnel), part of the tunnel system that is built into the mountain and was used as shelters during the attacks Airlines World War II. Today, you can cross the base of the mountain through tunnel. Basically Karmeliterplatz arrived at the plaza. One building on the north side of the neighboring Sporgasse also has a beautiful patio and I would have more time to discover hidden treasures of secret courtyards of Graz.

I turned left onto a street called Hofgasse and stopped at a building very rare: Bakery Edegger tax a bakery called Real, the oldest establishment, and in Graz, which dates from 1569. This beautiful carved wooden door in 1896 to be distinguished from the surrounding houses stucco and during 1800, this bakery has become an official supplier to the royal family of Austria.

My work is Freiheitsplatz ("Freedom Square") which is the location of the theater in front of the Schauspielhaus Graz is Grazer Dom, a cathedral dating from 1438. The southern part of this late Gothic style church is decorated with a painting of the three plagues: the Black Beach, War and lobster. Imperial Austria coats of arms and the Styrian and Portugal to the point of historical connection aristocratic.

Right next to the cathedral is the tomb of Emperor Franz Ferdinand of Austria, one of the most important structures in Austria Mannerist and Baroque early. Designed in the late 1600s, is the final resting place of Francis Ferdinand Habsburg and a variety of others.

I continued my walk through the Bürgergasse and transforms into a small street in Santa Clara Abraham aside until me a Glockenspielplatz (Carillon Square), aptly named for the carillon was built in 1905, which love the crowds of spectators, three times per day to 11 hours 3 and 6 hours. A pair of wood in traditional costume of Styria, and the male with a glass of wine raised, dancing at the age of 24 songs bells.

This region is part of Bermuda-Dreieck (Bermuda Triangle), the most popular entertainment area Graz which focuses on the Mehlplatz and Färberplatz Prokopigasse. Dozens of residential houses, many with terraces, urging residents and visitors to explore culinary possibilities Graz and entertainment has to offer.

The Erzherzog Johann Brunnen (fountain) in Graz main 'Square

Thanks to one of the small passages finished again in the main square and took another small lane, full of restaurants, bars and small retail outlets on the back of Franziskanerkirche (Franciscan Church). From outside the church was a perfect view of the river wall "Kunsthaus" Graz, Museum of Modern Art which was completed in 2003 and resembles a spaceship round. The city of Graz full array of bars and restaurants and all the squares and streets are full of "Schanigarten" (Barajas), which motivates you to sit back, relax and enjoy food and drink plenty of Austria.

I really enjoyed my exploration of Graz, and returned home to rest with my brother and my sister-law and consider a journey of discovery. It was much more to do in Graz, but I have to leave some of the destinations for my next visit. After a nice pizza dinner in a restaurant Weiz local, I went to bed early because tomorrow we will make a grand tour: a trip to the mountains of Slovenia and Italy!

About the Author

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of
http://www.travelandtransitions.com
, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our
FREE ebooks about travel.

Silicon Valley Italian Restaurant Fiorillo’s