Graz

Graz bewitches with its lively charm and Southern flair. It is the capital of Styria and the second largest city in Austria.
It's medieval city center is dominated largely by the struggle of the Reformists and the Habsburgs' Counter Reformation. Protestant buildings like the Landhaus and other palaces are contrasted by buildings like the old University, the Mausoleum and the Minoritenkirche erected to represent Catholic believes.
The most important building of baroque architecture in Graz is without doubt the Eggenberg castle.

A very significant city mark is the romantic Uhrturm, a tower still fit with the original clockwork from 1712 and a popular first kiss area for many inhabitants.

Today, the spirit of Graz is dominated by its many students, a young and easy going crowd. Festivals like the 'Styriarte' or 'steirischerbst' have entered the Styrian capital into the world's cultural calendar. In 2003 Graz seized the chance and became European Cultural Capital for a year. A futuristic open air coffee shop on an artificia Mur island and the 'friendly alien' of Kunsthaus museum accentuate the otherwise largely medieval city face.

You can reach Graz in 2 1/2 hours by train.