Thomas Kapelle ruins for former chapel

Der Steinene Hund - Sculpture honoring a canine of special merit

The Stone Dog Story 

Cerrini Castle (nearby)

Turkenbrunnen Turkish Well

Tuerkenbrunnen - Turkish Well 

Hans Kloepfer bronze bust nearby on way to the Stracke Haus 

Staedtefreundschaft - Graz Sister Cities - Mosaic on Schlossberg

This piece of mosaic wall art commemorates the sister city relationships of Graz
with and number of other cities elsewhere in Europe and beyond

Schlossbergplatz Square with ascent via stairs to iconic Uhrturm Clock Tower overlooking City of Graz

Getting up to the Schlossberg from Schlossbergplatz

There are several ways to get to the top of the Schlossberg from Schlossbergplatz Square, with differing requirements for physical fitness:

1. Walk into the tunnel and take the elevator straight up inside the mountain. The elevator is called the Schlossberglift. It's a technological marvel of recent vintage, which can be admired all the better because the cabin walls are made of glass and the elevator shaft is illuminated and also has winding stairs lining its walls. The elevator has a glass top, through which natural light enters. You arrive near the Uhrturm and the mountaintop Cafe.

2. Walk all the way through the tunnel that provides access to the Dom im Berg performance venue deep in the mountain, emerge at the other end, and then hike up the paved road that winds its way up in sharp curves through the wooded part of Schlossberg on the East side. The tunnel is sloped upward slightly, and the road is rather steep.

West gate of Schlossbergtunnel - Entry to Dom im Berg

Schlossbergsteig: Up the stairs to the Uhrturm

3. Ascend step-by-step via the flights of stairs built into the rockface on the West side of Schlossberg in zig-zagging course. This footpath is called the Kriegssteig. It is the most strenuous method to arrive at the Uhrturm, but also the shortest. This walk provides a great view of the historic city throughout the ascent. Along the way, you will pass through the Herbersteingarten, which is a lovely landscaped area with benches. It offers an even wider panoramic view of the area West and South of the City, beyond the vista of the sea of red roofs characteristic of the Old City (Altstadt).

The easiest and most convenient manner to rise  to the top of Schlossberg and see all of its attractions is to take the Schlossbergbahn, which offers rides in multi-level cars pulled up the mountainside on steep tracks by steel cables.

This ride goes directly to the Schlossbergrestaurant ("Das Schlossberg"), which also features an open-air terrace/lounge and a beer garden.

The restaurant is located next to several major points of interest: the Kasematten performance venue and the Liesl Bell Tower. A little higher up are the Great Cistern, the Hackher Loewe, which honors the war hero and defender of Graz for whom it is named with a lion sculpture, and observation platforms affording views in different directions, with stone panels that show the direction and distance -- in kilometers rather than miles of course -- of far-away cities.

The iconic Uhrturm clock tower is a short walk downhill to the South. On the way there you will pass the remaining Schlossberg fortifications (Bastei), a souvenir shop, the Turkisch Well, and a body-armor-type memorial dedicated to the unknown knight.

Schlossbergplatz - View of the square from above 

Cafe on Schlossbergplatz Square near the entrance to the tunnels that provide access
to the Schlossberglift elevator and the Dom im Berg performance hall

Erzherzog Johann Fountain on Main Square

Erzherzog Johann Brunnen 

Archduke John, a son of Empress Maria Theresia, did much good for the area and its advancement in his day and age, including in the realms of education, research, and scientific progress. A memorial fountain on the Main Square honors his life and contributions. Its four corners feature four allegorical female sculptures, each representing one of the principal rivers of what was then a larger Styria: Sann, Mur, Enns, and Drau.

One of the Mur bridges is also named after Erzherzog Johann. 

MUR corner sculpture of Erzherzog Johann Fountain

Franziskanerkirche - Franciscan Church on River Mur - Old Town Graz

Mur Murals and Graffiti

Erzherzog-Johnann Bridge over Mur - Franziskaner Church 

Schlossberghotel - Historic Boutique Hotel in Old Town Graz

Red Tram passing Schlossberghotel and ground station

of Schlossbergbahn 

Mursteg pedestrian walkway over river Mur and island cafe

The Erich Edegger Steg and the Murinsel are both located between Erzherzog Johann Bridge (to the South) and Kepler Bridge (to the North) and provide alternative options to get across the Mur River on foot (or bike).

Snail-shell shaped Murinsel - Floating cafe on River Mur at Graz

Mursteg - Pedestrian Crossing over Mur River

PEDESTRIAN MUR CROSSINGS 

The Edegger Steg crosses the river at street level.  It allows pedestrians to reach the Mariahilferplatz -- and the West side of the City farther afield -- from the area defined by  Schlossbergplatz, Dreifaltigkeitskirche, Palais Attems, and the Kastner & Oehler Department Store complex, which encompasss several old buildings and courtyards between Sackstrasse and the Eastern embankment of the River Mur. 

To cross the Mur via the Murinsel, you have to descend to the Mur Promenade level, i.e. the lower bank. Connected with metal gangways on both sides, the Murinsel floats on the water and provides opportunity for respite in a cafe and in a play area that is shaped like a small amphitheater. 

If you don't have time to sip a coffee sitting in this unique spot literally on the water, you can simply enjoy a river crossing on foot of the highly unconventional kind. You will no doubt get to share the experience with tourists from many other places; for the Murinsel, like the Kunsthaus and the Schlossberg, is not a place to be missed even if the visit to the City of Graz should be short, and the itinerary limited. 

Murinsel and Edegger Mursteg - two alternative options to cross the Mur River in Graz

Murinsel with walkways at dusk - with blue illumination

Zeughaus Styrian Armory from 16th Century

Landeszeughaus - Historic Armoury of the Province of Styria
Graz Herrengasse 16

Statute of Minerva at Graz Armoury

Landeszeughaus - Historical Marker at Styrian Armory

Portal at Landeszeughaus Arsenal dating from the 16th-17th century

Friendly Alien Kunsthaus - Unique modern arts museum and exhibition space

Grazer Kunsthaus - a Modern Marvel

Das Kunsthaus 

The Kunsthaus is one of the most remarkable modern architectural creations of the which the City of Graz boasts. Dubbed 'The Friendly Alien', its shape and structure provides a complete and stunning contrast with the surrounding neighborhood characterized by old-style city buildings with red tile roofs, whose facades the Kunsthaus's exterior coat of dark glass panels partially reflect .. but in anything but linear fashion. 

Hotels near Main Train Station (Hauptbahnhof)

Ibis Hotel Hauptbahnhof - Main Train Station 

Rooftop Cafe at Kastner & Oehler Department Store with view of City of Graz Historic Center

City of Graz town hall building seen from K & O Cafe

Freiblick by Eckstein Cafe on top floor of K&O Store

Sackstrasse from above