Graz, Austria

One of our last major outings, was a day in the town of "Graz". This is the second largest city in Austria and only about 45 minutes away from us.
We started the day by touring the "Old Town" of the city. This area held much history along with a gorgeous design. The pathways were cobblestone.  The buildings had very unique architecture and intricate details.

We made our way to the "Hauptplatz" (Main square).

Mike & I in the center

We then headed towards a "the Burg". After we entered, we crossed the courtyard and then arrived at the "Double Spiral Staircase". This is considered a masterpiece of stone masonry from the end of the Gothic Period.  This was a very unique sight, we climbed to the top…

Mike going up the stairs.

On our way to Glockenspielplatz square, we visited the "Habsburg tomb"/ Mausoleum and took some pictures.

We next reached the square just in time to watch the wooden figures dance! At 11am, 3pm, and 6pm, two windows open and a pair of carved wooden figures, in costume, dance to the sound of the Glockenspiel.

We stayed in the square for a bit to have lunch on the patio. Some of us tried the restaurant's microbrew. And I ordered a salad with a famous Austrian pumpkin seed oil dressing. It was all very enjoyable.

We finished the day by visiting the Schlossberg.
Here are some fun facts about the area; "Over 1,000 years ago the small fort that stood on a rock ledge here gave the city its name. Derived from the Slavic word 'Gradic', Graz means 'little castle'. After 1544, according to plans drawn up Domenico dell'Allio, it was extended into a huge Renaissance fortress, now listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the strongest fortification of all time. Even Napoleon found it impossible to capture at the beginning of the 19th century; it was only in 1809, when he had occupied Vienna and was threatening to destroy the Austrian capital, that Graz surrendered. Almost all of the fortifications were razed to the ground - only the bell tower and clock tower were allowed to remain, ransomed by the citizens of Graz so spared."

Clocktower

Bell Tower

Supposedly there are 4 ways to get to the top, one of them includes a 260 step pathway that crisscrosses down the hill.

Stair path

As you may have assumed, the view and scenery at the top was beautiful…especially since we were able to catch the sunset across the city and far away mountains! Again we took many, many pictures. (More pictures can be viewed on my 'Snapfish' photo album)

Graz, Austria