The best city hikes and walks in Voitsberg

The clock tower itself is not very impressive, but you have a beautiful view of Graz from there!

The decorative facades in the old town of Graz are an impressive testament to the city's rich architectural history. Magnificent burgher houses with intricate stucco work, colorful facade paintings, arcades, and loving details characterize the historic cityscape. Especially in the narrow streets and around the main square, the diversity of architecture from Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods is evident. Each facade tells its own story and makes a stroll through Graz's old town a journey through past centuries.

The Graz Uhrturm is the city's most famous landmark and has been enthroned on the Schlossberg above the old town for centuries. The originally medieval defensive tower received its current form in the 16th century with the distinctive clock faces and the characteristic large hands. Particularly striking is the apparent swapping of the hour and minute hands, which dates from a time when the hour display was more important than the minutes. The Uhrturm survived the demolition of the fortress in 1809 and was preserved as a symbol of the city of Graz. Today, it offers one of the most beautiful views over the old town and is one of Styria's most popular attractions.

The Schlossbergstiege is a historic staircase with 260 steps leading from the city center up to the Grazer Schlossberg. During the ascent, beautiful views of the old town repeatedly open up. Once at the top, you reach the Grazer Uhrturm, the city's most famous landmark. The Uhrturm dates back to the 13th century and is particularly known for its unusual clock hands – the large hand indicates the hours, the small one the minutes. From here, you can enjoy an impressive panoramic view over Graz.

The Luegg houses are among the most famous historical buildings on Graz's main square (Hauptplatz). They were built in the 16th and 17th centuries and impress with their richly decorated stucco facades and characteristic arcades. Particularly striking are the curved Baroque facades that characterize the Hauptplatz. The Luegg houses are an important example of the historical architecture of Graz's old town and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

The Grazer Hauptplatz is the vibrant center of the city and one of the most important meeting points in Graz. It was laid out in the 12th century and is surrounded by historic buildings, cafes, shops, and the Graz City Hall (Grazer Rathaus). From here, many streets and alleys lead into the old town. In addition, numerous tram lines stop at the Hauptplatz, making it an important transport hub. Markets, events, and festivals are regularly held here, making the square a popular place for locals and visitors alike.

A captivating television series for culture enthusiasts presents hundreds of special places and sites around the world. Despite their differences in era and purpose, these remarkable symbols of civilization's history share one commonality: they are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. The accompanying text for the episode about Graz's old town states: "The roots of the city of Graz in Styria lie on the Schlossberg (Castle Hill). First mentioned in 1128, it was then called Gradec, meaning 'little castle' in German. In the 15th century, Graz was the capital of Inner Austria. The future Emperor Frederick III had a fondness for the city and initiated its first architectural projects. He commissioned the construction of a city castle and the parish church of St. Giles, today's cathedral. However peaceful Graz may seem to us today, it has always been a fortified city (...)" The short segment (15 minutes long) can be accessed in the ARD media library via the following link: https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/schaetze-der-welt/altstadt-von-graz-oesterreich-folge-254/swr/Y3JpZDovL3N3ci5kZS82OTA3MDQ2

Great connection for pedestrians/cyclists from Lieboch to Lannach.