History of Graz
With a history stretching back over 800 years, the little city of Graz has changed hands many times. Since the first settlers established fortifications on the steep hill overlooking the river, Graz has remained a centre of local politics and culture. Today, the city boasts three universities, a lovely Old Town and a thriving arts scene, which places it at the centre of Styrian culture.
Medieval times
Graz was established sometime around the 12th century at the foot of the dominating Schlossberg Mountain. Many of the early Gothic period structures remain from the time when Emperor Frederick III used Graz as his capital after being forced out of Vienna by the Hungarians. Much of the city’s architectural charm, with its narrow-gable roofs, courtyards, castle and cathedral come from these years.
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Hardship
Life hasn’t always been kind to the residents of Graz. In 1480, the town was heavily afflicted by the Black Death, swarms of locusts and threats from the Turks and Hungarians. The years of decline that followed ended when the Hapsburg Archduke Carl made Graz his prosperous capital of Inner Austria in 1564.
Grazs Renaissance
By the end of the 16th century, Graz had a Jesuit college and a Lutheran school, the latter of which attracted the astronomer Johann Kepler to teach there. Commerce and the fine arts flourished during this period. The city’s prosperity can be seen in the many palaces and mansions built by roving Italian architects during this period.
Napoleon arrives
The city’s walls were replaced by trees in 1784, perhaps as a statement of the peace and security which pervaded the region. This, however, encouraged Napoleon to attack the city three times during his campaign. When Austria was defeated by him in 1809 at the Battle of Wagram, the ensuing treaty forced Graz to level the battlements on the Schlossberg. Only the clock tower and the bell tower were saved from destruction, and the mountain was turned into the lovely park you see today.
Contemporary revival
WWII brought heavy bombing and destruction to Graz. The British took control of the city in 1945 and began reconstruction. Since then, Graz has slowly rebuilt itself into a prosperous, economic city with breweries, factories and trading companies. It has also emerged as the centre of art and academia for this region of Austria.