Graz

When the European Union selected Graz as its Capital of Culture for 2003, it set in motion a series of events that propelled Austria's second-largest city onto the world stage. In addition to the largest historic town center in Central Europe, new sights and sounds arose across the city, with a new art exhibition hall (the Kunsthaus), a new concert hall (Helmut List Halle) and an artificial island built in the middle of the River Mur.

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While in Graz we suggest to visit the following:

Old Clock Tower: The symbol of the city. It has been ticking away above Graz since 1712 - still with its original works - and one of the oldest bells in the province (dating back to 1382).

Burg and double winding staircase: One of the most impressive buildings in town, the Burg is today the seat of the Styrian provincial government. A somewhat hidden treasure is the late Gothic double winding staircase, which dates back to 1499 and is a marvel of medieval stonework

Kunsthaus: The „Kunsthaus" on the right bank of the river mur impresses with its striking new architecture by

Peter Cook and Colin Fournier. The centerpoint of this building is the huge bubble with its partly transparent blue skin. Linked with an old steel construction the Kunsthaus represents a masterpiece of modern architecture internationally acclaimed

Island in the River Mur: Designed by New York artist Vito Acconci, the artificial island is attached to the banks of the river with two walkways and is said to resemble a giant open mussel. On the island there is an amphitheatre and a bar-restaurant which quickly became a hot-spot of Graz.