Excerpt from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlossberg_(Graz):
The Schlossberg (German: Schloßberg, lit. 'Castle Mountain') is a tree-clad hill and the site of a fortress in the centre of the city of Graz, Austria. The hill, at 473 metres (1,552 ft) above sea level, is now a public park and affords extensive views of the city. It is the site of several entertainment venues, cafés, and restaurants, and is managed by Holding Graz, the city-owned utility company.
The fortification of the Schlossberg goes back to at least the 10th century. In the mid-16th century, a 400 m (1,300 ft) long fortress was constructed by architects from the north of Italy. There are records of a cable-hauled lift being in use between 1528 and 1595 to move construction materials for the fortifications. The castle was never conquered, but it was largely demolished by Napoleonic forces under the Treaty of Schönbrunn of 1809. The clock tower (the Uhrturm) and bell tower (the Glockenturm) were spared after the people of Graz paid a ransom for their preservation.
The remains of the castle were turned into a public park by Ludwig von Welden in 1839. The park contains the Uhrturm, the Glockenturm, a cistern (the Türkenbrunnen) and two bastions from the old castle. The Uhrturm is a recognisable icon for the city, and is unusual in that the clock's hands have opposite roles to the common notion, with the larger one marking hours while the smaller is for minutes. The Glockenturm contains Liesl, the heaviest bell in Graz.
Near the Uhrturm is a café with views over the old town. Additionally, on the western side of the Schlossberg, there are two small cafés, one with table service and another with self-service. Next to the terminus of the funicular railway there is a hilltop restaurant with views of western Graz. In what was once the cellar of one of the ruined bastions is the Kasemattenbühne, an open-air stage for concerts and performances.
Below the Schlossberg hill is an extensive system of tunnels, which were created during the second world war to protect the civilian population of Graz from aerial bombing. Some of these tunnels, including a passage from Schlossbergplatz to Karmeliterplatz, are still accessible, but many are closed to the public.
Tags: The Great Well The Fortress Schlossberg Graz Austria
© All Rights Reserved
The Burgtheater, the former imperial court theatre, is the second-oldest theatre still in existence after the Comédie Francaise. It has 1,175 seats, 81 standing places, and room for 12 wheelchairs and escorts in its main theatre. There are three other locations where Burgtheater productions are performed. They are the Vestibül, a studio seating 70; the Kasino with 200 seats, and the Akademietheater with 500 seats. The high attic above the centre of the building is decorated with a frieze depicting a Cacchanalian procession.
Tags: Vienna Austria Burgtheater UNESCO World Heritage Sites
© All Rights Reserved
Tags: Mausoleum Old Town Graz Austria UNESCO World Heritage Site
© All Rights Reserved
Tags: Schloss Eggberg Graz Austria UNESCO World Heritage Site Gotische Kapelle Gothic Chapel **Heart Awards**
© All Rights Reserved
This building was once the most important arsenal in Inner Austria.
Tags: Old Town Graz Austria UNESCO World Heritage Site Landeszeughaus The Armoury
© All Rights Reserved