All the symbols of Austria are evident in this landscape of the Styrian Lake Grundlsee: naked alpine slopes, at the foot, shrouded in dense forest, and green meadows with the inevitable cows - portly and well-fed, basking in the warm rays of the sun.

One of the largest Austrian states, Styria ranks second in area and fourth in population, and its main city is second only to the capital Vienna in terms of the number of inhabitants (though more than six times).

Geography

The federal state of Styria is located in the basin of the Mur River, which is a tributary of the Drava, whose downstream located within the boundaries of the land. Rivers flow in picturesque intermountain valleys where large cities stand. Large by Styrian standards: 15-20 thousand people live in them.

According to the nature of the relief, Styria is divided into Upper and Southwestern Styria.

Upper Styria (this is also historical name of this part) is the north and northwest, where mountain ranges cover the territory lengthwise and crosswise and are part of the Alps: Eastern, Lower Austrian, Northern Limestone, North Styrian, Carinthian-Styrian and Styrian Low. The heights are mainly about 2 km, the Dachstein ridge stands out from the very high mountain, just a few meters short of 3 km.

Upper Styria is an industrial-agrarian region. Between the cities of Judenburg and Mürzzuschlag there is a large Austrian industrial area, powered by its own iron ore, since the 11th century. open-pit extracted from Mount Erzberg in the Eisenerz Alps. Altaussee has the largest rock salt deposits in the country.

This entire area occupies part historical region Salzkammergut (translated from German as Salt Chamber) is a living reminder of the past, when salt mines were controlled by the imperial administration from Vienna and were the property of the crown.

Nature

Today, this lake-rich region has become a destination for international tourism, and the Dachstein Mountain is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a site of exceptional natural beauty. Another man-made object in these places is also included in the same list: Railway Semmering, built in the mid-19th century.

In southwestern Styria, which includes the surrounding area of ​​Graz, the mountains are significantly lower and it is a predominantly hilly area. Austrian southwestern Styria should not be confused with southern part historical Styria, which currently belongs to neighboring Slovenia and is called Lower Styria.

The south of Styria is a predominantly agricultural region, where the area nicknamed Graz Bay stands out, with intensive dairy farming and grain farming, orchards and vineyards.

Styria is known for its natural attractions, and tourism brings huge income to it.

The Austrian Alps are completely riddled with caves, and Styria is no exception: its most famous cave is Mixnikser-Kogellukenska. To get into it, you need to climb from the bank of the Mur River to a height of 500 m.

Of the many lakes, two are the most famous: Grünersee got its name because of the amazing emerald green hue of the water, and Grundlse is known for the fact that in the last weeks of the existence of the Third Reich, the German Nazis hid some voluminous iron boxes with mysterious contents, so far no found.

The only one national park Styria - Gesoise in the valley of the Enns river. In addition to picturesque landscapes and pristine nature, there is the oldest active Benedictine monastery in Styria, Admont, founded in 1074 by Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg. The monastery's library is unique, collected over centuries: in a hall 70 m long and with a ceiling height of 13 m, about 200 thousand books are stored, including more than a thousand rare medieval manuscripts and engravings.

Most of the population lives in the southeastern, relatively flat part of Austrian Styria, where all its large cities are lined up along the rivers. However, most people go to work to the north, where all the main resorts and industrial enterprises are located.

Story

From the 6th century the territory of what is now Styria was inhabited South Slavs who came here after the collapse of the Roman Empire. The historical core of the modern Austrian federal state of Styria was the Carinthian March - an early medieval border district in the Holy Roman Empire. At the beginning of the 11th century. The Carinthian March, taking advantage of the weakening of the Duchy of Greater Carantania, whose vassal territory it was, completely separated from it.

Since 1180, it was already called the Styrian Mark - after Steyr, the ancestral city of the ruling house of Traungau. In Austria this land is still called Steinmark. Subsequently, Styria was inherited by the Austrian Habsburgs and by 1918 it was part of Austria-Hungary in the privileged status of a crown land, being in fact the personal property of the ruling emperor.

Since the 12th century. The Slavic population of Styria was subjected to active Germanization; only the Slovenes in the southern part of Styria survived.

By the end of the First World War, the empire had crumbled, and by the Treaty of Saint-Germain of 1919, most of historical Styria (Upper Styria) became part of Austria, forming the federal state of Styria. The smaller part - southern Lower Styria, where the proportion of the Slovenian population was high - became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later - Yugoslavia).

In 1938, Styria enthusiastically welcomed the Anschluss - the incorporation of Austria into Germany, marking this event with pogroms against Jews. For which they had to pay, including significant destruction as a result of Allied air raids during the Second World War. After the war, Styria was part of the British occupation zone of Austria until 1955.

In the main city of this land - Graz, which stands on both banks of the Mur River - in the Middle Ages, the younger branch of the Habsburgs ruled, leaving behind Altstadt - Old city, one of the best preserved in Central Europe and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here is the Arsenal building, which displays a unique collection of weapons from the war with Turkey in the 16th-17th centuries. In the center of the triangular Hauptplatz square stands the Archduke Johann fountain, to whom the city owes many of its buildings. The four female figures around him are symbols of the four rivers of Styria, its main waterways: Mur, Enns, Drava and Zanna. Archduke Johann (1782-1859) was a desperate warrior, participated in many wars, was defeated in almost all battles and succeeded only by retiring and taking up science. He founded a museum in Graz, named the Joanneum in his honor: a huge exhibition is housed in ten buildings, including the Herberstein and Eggenberg palaces (the latter is also part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

To the east of Graz stands the old castle of Riegersburg: in the past a powerful outpost on the path of Turkish and Hungarian invaders, and now the private property of the Liechtenstein family. Its dimensions are amazing: a three-kilometer wall with eleven bastions, seven gates and two concentric ditches. The building preserves ancient siege and defensive machines and devices. However, most visitors come here to see a different kind of exhibition: the castle houses the one-of-a-kind Witch Museum, which tells how unfortunates accused of witchcraft were tortured and executed in the Middle Ages.

And in the very north of Styria, in the city of Mariazell, where only one and a half thousand people live, there is the most popular center of Catholic pilgrimage - the Basilica of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, where pilgrims have been drawn since the 14th century.


general information

Location : southeast Austria.
Administrative division : 1 state (Graz), 12 districts.
Administrative center : city of Graz - 280,200 people. (2016).
Cities: Leoben - 25,341 people, Kapfenberg - 23,059 people, Bruck an der Mur - 15,892 people, Feldbach - 13,314 people, Knittelfeld - 12,667 people, Leibnitz - 11,906 people. (2016).
Languages: Austrian German, German.
Ethnic composition : Austrians, Germans, immigrants from the former Yugoslavia.
Religions: Catholicism - 81.3%, non-religious - 9.9%, Protestantism (Lutheranism) - 4.3%, Islam - 1.6%, others - 2.9% (2001).
Currency unit : euro.
Rivers: Mur, Mürtz, Salza, Drava, Zann, Enns, Rab.
Airport: international Graz-Thalerhof.
Neighboring countries and lands : in the north - and, in the east - Burgenland, in the south - Slovenia and, in the west -.

Numbers

Square: 16,401.04 km 2 .
Total length of borders : 1015 km.
Population: 1,231,865 people (2016).
Population density : 75.1 people/km 2 .
Lowest point : 200 m, river Moore (Radkersburg district, Bad Radkersburg).
Highest point : 2995 m, Mount Hoer-Dachstein (Northern Limestone Alps).

Climate and weather

Moderate inland, temperate mountainous regions.
Winters are mild, with frequent snowfalls.
Summer is warm and sunny.
Average January temperature : -1°C.
Average temperature in July : +19°С.
Average annual precipitation : about 1000 mm.
Average annual relative humidity : 70%.

Economy

GRP: EU 42.28 billion (2014), per capita - EU 34.7 thousand (2014).
Minerals : iron ore, gypsum, graphite, talc, magnesite, limestone, rock salt, mineral springs.
Industry: mining, mechanical engineering (automotive industry, auto parts), metallurgical (ferrous and non-ferrous, steel, pipe rolling), electrical and electronic, chemical, pulp and paper, woodworking, glass, food, light (textile).
Agriculture : crop farming (cereals, potatoes, gardening, viticulture), livestock farming (cattle breeding, pig breeding).
Services sector: tourist, transport, shopping, resort (ski Mürzzuschlag and Schladming, thermal Bad Blumau, Bad Waltersdorf, Gleichenberg, Radkersburg and Loipersdorf).

Attractions

Natural

  • Gesouse und Estal National Park (2002)
  • Cave Miksnikser-Kogelukenskaya and Lurgrotte
  • Lakes Grünersee, Grundlsee, Thalersee, Altausseersee and Stubenbergsee

Historical

  • Salzkammergut salt mines (2 thousand BC)
  • Benedictine monastery of Admont (1074)
  • Oberkapfenberg Castle (1144)
  • Augustinian monastery of Forau (XII century)
  • Benedictine monastery of St. Lambrecht (XII century)
  • Tal Castle (1259)
  • Bruck an der Mur Castle (1263)
  • Herberstein Castle (XIII century)
  • Kornberg Castle (XIII century)
  • Riegersburg Castle (XVII century)
  • Semmering Railway (1848-1854)

Cult

  • Basilica of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Mariazell, 1243)
  • Church of Rupert (Trofaiach, 12th century) and St. Matthias (Murau, 13th century)
  • St. Ruprecht's Cathedral (Bruck an der Mur, 15th century)
  • Chapel Loretta (Kapfenberg, 1676)
  • Church of St. Vitus (Pellau, 1701-1712)
  • Open Air Museum (Stübing, 1962)

Cultural

  • Museum of Traditions and Carnivals (Knittelfeld)
  • Winter Sports Museum (Mürzzuschlag)
  • Museum of Mountaineering (Ramsau) and Winemaking (Kitzeck)

City of Graz

  • Clock Tower (1265)
  • Altstadt (Old Town, XIII century)
  • Eggenberg Castle (XIII century)
  • City fortress (XIV century)
  • Cathedral of St. Egidio (1439-1464)
  • Church of St. Catherine and mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II (1614)
  • Landhaus building (mid-16th century)
  • Arsenal (1642-1645)
  • Old Town Hall (1690)
  • Attems Palace (1702-1716)
  • Basilica of Mariatrost (Consolations of Mary, 1714-1724)
  • Styrian Museum Joanneum (1811)
  • New Town Hall (late 19th century)
  • Mount Schlossberg (473 m)
  • Artificial islands Murinsel and Kunsthaus (2003)

City of Leoben

  • Church of St. Jacob (1188)
  • Massenburg Castle (XIII century)
  • Benedictine Abbey of Hess (XIV century)
  • Buildings of Hauptplatz (XVI century)
  • Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier (1665)

Curious facts

  • There is a town in Styria with a rather unexpected German name Judenburg, or City of the Jews. They are from the 730s. they lived in this lively place, at a fork in the road, until Emperor Maximilian ordered their expulsion in 1496. In the second half of the 19th century. under Emperor Franz Joseph I, who was more “tolerant” of Jews, they were allowed to settle here again. The Jewish population of Judenburg was almost completely exterminated during World War II in the nearby Mauthausen extermination camp. During the Third Reich, they wanted to change the name of the city, but they postponed it until the end of the war, which ended not in Germany’s favor. So the City of Jews did not change its name even under the Nazis. Today, of the approximately 10 thousand inhabitants of Judenburg, there are several hundred ethnic Jews, and on the city's coat of arms there is the same old image: a Jew with a beard wearing a Judenhut - a Jewish hat.
  • After the war, Judenburg (as well as another city - Lienz) became the place where the Cossacks who had left the Terek, Kuban and Don with the Germans during the advance of the Red Army were handed over to the USSR. In total, the British and Americans extradited up to 60 thousand Cossacks from their occupation zones to Austria.
  • The city of Steyr, from which the federal state of Styria takes its name, is now located in the state of Upper Austria. The old connection between Styria and Steyr is reminiscent of the fact that the coats of arms of this city and the federal state are almost identical: a white panther, ready for battle and spitting flame, on a green background.
  • About 10 million tourists visit Styria every year.
  • American film actor, former governor of California and multimillionaire Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in 1947 in the village of Tal, 3 km from Graz, into a poor family. former Nazi. The future superstar of bodybuilding and cinema lived here until 1966, when he left for the USA. In 2011, Schwarzenegger returned to his native village to attend the opening of his own museum in his father’s house.

The site often receives applications from clients who want to purchase real estate in Austria, but have not yet decided on the choice of region. This is not surprising, because each federal state in this beautiful country is good in its own way. However, upon closer examination, the regions of Austria turn out to be very different - not only in landscape and recreational opportunities, but also in housing prices, as well as in terms of purchasing arrangements. We hope that this article will help future property owners in Austria make the right choice.

Vein

The capital of Austria is Vienna, located in most picturesque place the middle reaches of the Danube and surrounded by the beautiful spurs of the Vienna Woods. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the music capital of Europe. The fusion of many cultures over the centuries has created a unique architecture here, severely damaged during the Second World War, but almost completely restored by the hardworking Viennese.

Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities in the world

The city was founded by the Celts in the 5th century BC. e. In different eras, many cultures have influenced appearance and life in Vienna: Romans, Germans, Ottoman Empire. Since the 16th century, Vienna has become the capital of the Habsburgs and the Austrian Empire, a recognized center of cultural and political life Europe, and after the collapse of Austria-Hungary in 1918 - the capital of independent Austria. Modern Vienna is the headquarters of OPEC, OSCE, IAEA, UNIDO and other international organizations, and its historical center is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

Vienna is called the European and world center of art and culture. For several years in a row, Vienna has been ranked first in the world in terms of quality of life. Every year, the international consulting agency Mercer conducts a study of the quality of life in 221 capitals of the world. According to its results, in 2013 Vienna again received the highest rating. The Austrian capital has been named the most livable city in the world for the fifth time in a row.

Vienna is in every way a city of its own high level, and this attracts investors who consider Vienna as their second home. But, oddly enough, this does not affect the pricing of real estate in Vienna. Apartments in Vienna are cheaper than apartments in London or New York.

To purchase real estate in the Austrian capital, Russians need to have a residence permit in this country. Another option is to purchase as a legal entity.

Lower Austria

The presence of thermal springs made it possible to create numerous resorts with medicinal waters, among which the city of Baden, located 25 km from Vienna, occupies a special place.

Baden pod Vienna is a charming romantic town and climatic thermal resort with hot sulfur springs, located just 26 km from Vienna, at an altitude of 220–250 m above sea level, among the green hills of the fabulous Vienna Woods, fields and vineyards. The position on the edge of the Pannonian lowland results in a balanced, almost Mediterranean climate, a large number of sunny days throughout the year and moderate temperatures all year round.


Baden pod Vienna is a resort town near the Austrian capital

The main role in the economic life of the city is played by trade, industry, winemaking and tourism. Population: 23.9 thousand people; total area city ​​27 km².

Historical architectural appearance, beauty of the urban landscape, developed infrastructure, active public and cultural life and its special atmosphere have made this city a popular destination for both Austrians and foreigners.

Lower Austria is rich not only in thermal waters, but also in healing air in the foothills of the Alps. The Semmering ski resort, closest to Vienna, hosts various sports and cultural events, both in winter and summer. The Danube coast, especially the Wachau Valley, is a UNESCO-protected natural heritage notable not only for the beauty of its landscape, but also for its vineyards and world-class wine production.

Lower Austria has many historic castles and estates for company or family residences, hotels, as well as apartments and houses for both permanent residence and holiday use. To register the purchase of real estate by foreigners in cities and towns of Lower Austria, permission from local authorities will be required.

Styria


Real estate on Traunsee, as well as on other picturesque Austrian lakes, is in great demand

Gmunden is the largest resort in the region. The ancient embankment, beautiful nature, swans on the blue surface of the lake give the city a special charm. The city is famous for its historical and architectural monuments: the quadrangular fortress of Landschloss-Orth, built in the 17th century, and the picturesque castle of Seschloss-Orth (15th century), which “grows” directly from the waters of the lake. And in the eastern part of Gmunden there is a funicular leading to the top of Mount Grünberg (1004 m), from where a beautiful panorama of the city opens.

The popular Salzkammergut region, located mainly in the state of Upper Austria, is famous for its clear lakes Attersee, Traunsee, Hallstattersee, Mondsee. All of them are surrounded by the peaks of the Alpine mountains reaching into the sky. On the banks of the Wolfgangsee there are cozy towns - St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen, Strobl, in each of which you can find something special. Historical and Cultural Center Salzkammergut - the city of Bad Ischl, a world-famous balneological resort.

Lake Hallstattersee is one of the most picturesque lakes in Salzkammergut. In summer there are excellent opportunities for beach recreation and fishing, and in winter for skiing and snowboarding.

Hallstatt bears the honorary title of “The Most Beautiful Lakeside City in the World.” The history of the town is closely connected with salt production and dates back 4,500 years. Bad Goisern is another resort town located on the banks of the Hallstattersee, famous for its thermal spring. People come here for the purpose of relaxation and recovery. In the village of Obertraun, neighboring Hallstatt, there are three unique caves open to the public. There are about 240 caves in this area.

The Hallstatt-Dachstein area has been included in the UNESCO list of monuments as an outstanding example of a natural landscape of extraordinary beauty, as well as a monument testifying to human economic activity harmoniously integrated into environment. An Alpine-style mansion near Hallstattersee can be purchased for 369 thousand euros.

The pearl of Carinthia is Lake Wörthersee, a popular resort for the rich and famous Europeans. Many German millionaires have their permanent residences or vacation in the summer in this region, which contributes to the special atmosphere and lifestyle on the shores of the lake.

In summer there are many opportunities for sports and interesting pastimes: golf, hiking, cycling and, of course, active recreation on the water. In winter, you can go to any of the nearby ski resorts.


Carinthia attracts not only skiers, but also water sports enthusiasts

Klagenfurt (population approximately 95 thousand people) is the capital of the federal state of Carinthia. The city is located on the easternmost shore of Lake Wörthersee. The historical center of Klagenfurt is one of the most beautiful in Austria. The location next to a warm lake and the almost Mediterranean climate create a special holiday atmosphere in the city. southern countries. Klagenfurt has a university and its own international airport.

Velden am Wörthersee is the calling card of the “Austrian Riviera”. The casino, promenade, iconic historical hotels, as well as the famous European TV series “Castle on Wörthersee” are inextricably linked with this resort. The first beach here was opened in 1865.

A 30-minute drive from Lake Verthesee there are attractions such as the Görlizen alpine range, the Tscheppaschlucht waterfalls, and the picturesque medieval castle of Hoch Osterwitz with its famous 14 gates. An hour's drive away are the Slovenian cities of Bled and Ljubljana, as well as the city of Udine in Italy, with excellent shopping. The Italian cities of Trieste and Grado are two hours away. Venice is two and a half hours away.

In the vast majority of cases, registration of purchases by non-EU citizens in Carinthia is possible only through registration of a legal entity. Moreover, different types of real estate and different municipalities may require a different type of legal entity. The site's Austrian partners organize consultations with local notaries and tax and consultants to choose the best option for each buyer.

Tyrol

Tyrol is one of the most interesting mountain regions in the world. Tyrol is often called the “heart of the Alps”. There are five high-altitude glaciers, approximately 600 mountain peaks over 3000 m high, and more than 119 ski areas. For snowboarders, 32 ski areas in Tyrol have built fun parks with jumps, halfpipes and other obstacles. The height of the mountains is from 640 meters to 4000 meters, the length of the routes is from 35 km to 600 km. The ski season lasts from late December to early April, and in the glacier region - all year round.


Innsbruck is the capital of the state of Tyrol and the fifth largest city in Austria (120 thousand people). It hosted the Winter Olympics twice (in 1964 and 1976). The city is located in the Inn River valley surrounded by impressive mountain ranges. The symbol of Innsbruck is the Golden Roof and the ancient city hall in the form of a tower.

Many tourists, having been on holiday in Tyrol, dream of buying a house or apartment in this region in order to spend their holidays here or settle in this wonderful region forever.

The increased demand of foreigners for real estate in Tyrol explains significantly more high prices in this region compared to other states in Austria. Foreigners need to keep in mind that the purchase of real estate in this federal state by non-EU citizens as individuals is practically impossible. For those who still really want to purchase real estate in Tyrol, we help them find a solution: for example, by registering a company in the EU.

New buildings with holiday apartments are located close to both ski lifts and mountain lakes, which makes living in them pleasant and eventful at any time of the year. If desired, such real estate can be rented out to other tourists in agreement with the management companies.

Vorarlberg

Vorarlberg is the westernmost and smallest state in Austria. This region fascinates tourists with its beauty. From the top of Mount Pfander (1,062 m) there is a stunning view of Lake Constance, which is located at the junction of three countries - Austria, Germany and Switzerland.


The capital of Voralberg is the city of Bregenz, which appears in its full glory in July-August, when the famous Bregen Opera Festival is held here, on the world's largest floating stage.

Sledding, curling, hiking and cycling, golf and even jet skiing balloons- Vorarlberg offers many different leisure activities. Fans of excursions are also not left out of attention: castles, palaces, fortresses and museums are at their service.

But the main value of Vorarlberg is, of course, its ski slopes, total length of which - 260 km. Vorarlberg's largest ski area is the Montafon Valley. The ski season here lasts from December to April, but tourists continue to come here in the summer. The most popular resorts in Vorarlberg: Lech, Zurs, Stubenach.

As in Tyrol, non-EU citizens cannot purchase real estate in Vorarlberg as an individual, but this is possible by registering a company in Austria.

Styria is a southeastern federal province of Austria, bordering Slovenia. This is one of the most diverse regions of the country - the hilly landscape of the southeast with its numerous vineyards and gardens to the north gives way to the "ribbon" of the industrialized Murtal valley, and then passes into the eastern spurs of the Alps. Here you can find everything - small wineries near the Slovenian border, and the famous pumpkin plantations around Graz, and old fortresses of the foothills, and the rather harsh mining towns of Hochschwab and Erzberg, and the picturesque monasteries of the Muir and Salz valleys. In general, Styria bears little resemblance to Alpine Austria, which is depicted on thousands of tourist brochures, but nevertheless it is extremely popular among tourists precisely because of its unique flavor.

The administrative center of Styria and the second most populous city in the country is.

Leisure

Styria is widely known for its picturesque nature and beautiful cities, but skiers are primarily attracted here by the Dachstein Tauern massif, which unites 8 ski areas: Pichl - Reiteralm, Schladming - Rohrmoos, Haus - Haus - Aich - Goessenberg, Groebmingerland, Soelktaeler (Solktaler Nature Park), Oeblarn - Niederoeblarn; Oblarn - Niederoblarn, Grimming and Donnersbachwald. At the same time, four nearby areas - Schladming, Rohrmoos, Pichl and Haus - Enstal, located in the middle part of the Ensa valley near the border with Salzburg, form one extensive ski area, and the remaining resorts located just below the same valley are easily accessible by public transport.

Attractions

Eastern Styria

The arable land and garden-covered hills of eastern Styria line the borders with Slovenia and Hungary. The starting point for exploring these regions is considered to be a rather unremarkable city Feldbach(Feldbach), whose main decoration is Tabor - a fortified quarter of medieval buildings around the church (early 16th century). Specially built to protect the townspeople in the event of an enemy attack, Tabor more than once fulfilled its direct functions at the beginning of the seventeenth century, when the raids of the Hungarian haiduks literally terrorized the prosperous cities of eastern Austria. Nowadays it houses many local museums, including an old blacksmith shop, the Styrian Fisheries Museum, the Firefighting Museum, the Geology Museum and a good ethnographic collection. 2 km north of the city stands the Renaissance castle of Comberg, whose graceful galleries in its pentagonal courtyard now host regular history and art exhibitions.

But the main attraction of the area is still the castle located 10 km north of Feldbach Riegersburg(Riegersburg) www.riegersburg.com, dominating the town of the same name and the fields and pastures between the Rab and Rittschein-Bach rivers. Built in 1122 by Rudiger von Hohenberg on a basalt rock 200 meters high, it was expanded several times until the 17th century, and eventually the length of its walls reached 3 km! In 1822, the castle was acquired by the dynasty of the Dukes of Liechtenstein and is still used as the residence of this ancient family. However, part of the castle is open to the public, and here you can see a memorial to the victims of the First World War at the gate to the inner fortress, a castle museum with large collection weapons and armor, as well as a number of internal chambers and halls that have preserved their ancient appearance.

To the north, closer to the border with Burgenland, the town is worth visiting Hartberg(Hartber) is one of the nicest small towns in Styria. It is famous for its well-preserved historical center and tranquil landscapes - in these parts the mountains gradually begin to “tread” on the fields and gardens, so Mount Ringkogel (1248 m) towering above the city is literally all entwined with vineyards and gardens. In the southern part of Hauptplatz stands the hallmark of Hartberg - St. Martin's Church with its beautiful Baroque altar and squat round Karner tower, originally built as a Romanesque baptistery, inside which the dead were buried (wonderful frescoes from the 13th century have been preserved). And to the west of the main square there is a good City Museum with an extensive historical collection (excavations of the Roman settlement of Löffelbach are underway 3 km west of the city). The city castle, significantly modernized during the Renaissance, now hosts numerous art exhibitions, and from its bridgehead one can ascend to a pleasant city park and the ruins of the city's once extensive defensive system.

Northern Styria

North of Graz, hills and fields gradually give way to a labyrinth of coniferous forested valleys and rugged Alpine peaks. Despite its undeniable natural beauty, the area is very little known to foreigners - there are no famous mountain resorts or stunning landscapes of the western part of the country, but Austrians themselves value these lands as a land of tranquil holidays.

The calling card of the region is a pretty pilgrimage center located on the very border with Lower Austria. Halfway between Graz and Mariazell lies the city, which is an excellent starting point for the most beautiful places northern Styria. 19 km southwest of Bruck lies the town - the center of the Austrian metallurgical industry since the Middle Ages.

The town is interesting both for its attractions and for the opportunities for outdoor activities around it.

Murtal

The decoration of the southwestern part of Styria is the Murtal valley, which stretches from the border of the states of Salzburg and Carinthia almost to Bruck an der Mur, where the river turns south to Graz. The starting point for traveling through the valley is considered to be an industrial and commercial city Knittelfeld(Knittelfeld, 30 km west of Leoben), although by and large any of the string of small towns in the valley can play this role. Knittelfeld is the most convenient for visiting business card valley - the Benedictine Abbey of Seckau (Stift Seckau), located 16 km north of the city. Founded by the Augustinians in the mid-12th century, the abbey served as the spiritual capital of Styria and the seat of local bishops until 1782, when the episcopate moved to Graz. In 1883, the Benedictines revived the rather neglected monastery and founded a prestigious high school, which even today gathers students from all over the valley. The decoration of the complex is the beautiful Romanesque basilica (XII-XV centuries) with two bell towers, the mausoleum of Charles II (1612), the Bischofskapelle chapels (XIII-XVI centuries) and Zakramentskapelle (XV centuries) with luxurious interiors, courtyard galleries, as well as numerous domestic buildings from different eras.

A town located 15 km southwest Judenburg(Judenburg) was Styria's leading commercial center in late Middle Ages, essentially managing all trade routes between Vienna, southern Germany and northern Italy. Like most other cities in the valley, Judenburg became rich from the export of iron and, oddly enough, the trade in lavender, becoming by the 15th century also an important center for weapons manufacturing. The city's name is thought to derive from one of its early medieval rulers, Yudo, although popular legend subsequently linked it to the large Jewish colony that settled there in the 13th century. The pogrom of 1496 forced the Jews to flee the city, so few reminders of that time remain today. Judenburg's attractions include the colorful central square Hauptplatz with the Stadtturm tower (15th century, 75 meters high), which now hosts various exhibitions, the parish church (Pfarrkirche, 16th century) with Baroque interiors and a Gothic statue of the Madonna and Child (approximately 1420). .), City and Miner's Museums, as well as the elegant Magdalenakirche church (1350) on the very banks of the Mur.

From Judenburg you can go to the ancient center of silver mining - the village Oberzairing(Oberzeiring) with its labyrinth of adits and drifts, to the Frauenburg church and the ruins of a 13th-century fortress on a hill north of the city Unzmarkt(Unzmarkt), towards a small village Oberwölz(Oberwolz) with its impressive fortifications (in the Middle Ages, this isolated settlement, now home to only a thousand people, was a prosperous commercial center, rich in the trade of salt and silver) or take a ride on the old narrow-gauge Murtalbahn from Unzmarkt to Tamsweg (Tamsweg, this is already land of Salzburg).

Of all the provincial towns in Styria, the old mining center is probably the most attractive. And 15 km southeast of the city, among the green slopes of the Mosalmkogel, Kuhalm and Reiterkogel mountains, is the town St. Lambrecht with the Benedictine abbey of the same name, known since the 11th century not only for its churches, but also for its wines.

Enstal

The mountainous north-west of Styria is occupied by a whole series of almost successive ridges of the Salzburg Alps, separated by the valley of the Enns River. The northern part of this mountainous country, separating the plains of Graz from the lakes of Salzburg, is formed by the low Totes-Gebirge mountains, often called the Ennstaler Alpen. At the southern foot of these mountains, in the heart of Ennstal, lies the city Admont(Admont), founded in the 11th century as a Benedictine monastery. The abbey www.stiftadmont.at, which was rebuilt several times, is still its main attraction today. The monastery museum is simply surprisingly rich for a provincial collection, and the library is considered one of the best in the country both in decoration and in its collection of books.

The tourist Mecca of Ennstal is, of course, Schladming, located 60 km southwest - one of the largest ski centers in Austria.

Also in the vicinity of Schladming you can visit Culm(Ramsau-Kulm) with its beautiful 15th century church, Ramsau-Orth(Ramsau-Ort is the main center of hiking and cross-country skiing in the area) with an evangelical church (16th century, a striking example of the "survival" of Protestantism in these isolated mountain areas) or climb to the panoramic Hunerkogel restaurant at the top of Dachstein.

Federal state of Styria and its capital Graz

Half of the entire territory of Styria is occupied by forests, a quarter by fields, alpine meadows and vineyards, while its northern part is mountainous Upper Styria.


Article: Federal state of Styria and its capital Graz

Website: AUSTRIA-GUIDE

Half of the entire territory of Styria is occupied by forests, a quarter by fields, alpine meadows and vineyards, while its northern part is mountainous Upper Styria. Rich deposits of iron ore are concentrated there and steel industry enterprises are located there. This federal state ranks first in the Austrian mining industry: 90% of the iron ore produced in the country comes from the mines of Styria. In the west, coal is mined. Magnesite products are exported to many countries.

The valleys of the Mur and Mürz rivers are home to centers of iron and steel and engineering industries. In Styria, the pulp and paper, electrical engineering, and transport engineering industries are highly developed. The capital of Styria - Graz - is an important center of economy, culture and education. Among local residents and numerous guests, the festival of avant-garde art "Styrian Autumn" is very popular.
Required information
Administrative center: Graz
Area: 16,387 km2
Population: 1,184,720 inhabitants

Mariazell Patron of the earth: St. Joseph Nahrvater
Memorial Day: March 19
Earth Colors: White and Green
Number of inhabitants in Graz: 238,000
Altitude: 365 m
Distance to Vienna: 191 km
A little history...
Since ancient times, the Romans settled almost the entire territory of Styria, laid roads, and founded numerous settlements. After the fall of the Roman state in 476. Slavic tribes began to penetrate here. In 788 the region came under the rule of Charlemagne (settlements of Frankish, Bovarian and Saxon nobility and peasants).

Graz.Old TownAfter the victory over Hungary near Augsburg in 955. for security eastern borders A number of brands were created under the management of the Traungauer family. In 1180 The brand "Stiria" (Steier) became a duchy and from 1192 under the Babenbergs became part of Austria. From 1278 to 1918, the land of Styria was ruled by the Habsburg dynasty.
In the 15th-16th centuries, many areas were empty due to general disasters: locust invasions, famine, plague epidemics, and Turkish invasions. Further economic progress was suspended during Napoleonic Wars, 1st World War, when Styria had to cede important economic southern regions.
Graz...

Schlossberg-Graz is located in the south of Austria, 50 km from the Austrian border. It is the second largest city in Austria. More than half of the city is occupied by green spaces, which led to the name "garden city", "city of greenery". Along with this, Graz is a large industrial and commercial city, a center of education and the seat of the government of the state of Styria.
The name "Graz" comes from the Slovenian "gradec", which means small fortress. The history of Graz begins about 900 years ago. The first mention in books dates back to 1150. However, it is assumed that there was a settlement on this site already in 800. In both the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Graz was the crown jewel of the Habsburg Empire. In Graz, the old part of the city (Altstadt) is well preserved, with Renaissance-style houses and cozy courtyards.

Clock TowerAt that time (1115), the counts von Steyr chose Graz as their main city. In 1128 a house and a church appeared on Castle Hill. After in 1281. Graz received city status; the Styrian branch of the Habsburgs moved their residence there in 1379. In the 15th century, Emperor Frederick III contributed to the decoration of the residence - monasteries were built, the suburb on the other bank of the Mur was expanded, and fortifications were strengthened.
The Turks devastated the area around Graz in 1480 and 1532. Therefore, under King Ferdinand I, from 1543, the outdated defensive system of the city was rebuilt under the leadership of Italian architects. The city was also rebuilt in the Renaissance style.
Under Empress Maria Theresa, the favorable development of the city continued. In 1770, street lighting was introduced in the city, and the city was actively greened. After the Habsburg Empire was divided, after World War I, Graz also partially lost its significance as a trading city at the crossroads of trade routes.

Landhouse...attractions
The main attraction of the city is the Schlosberg fortress - the former residence of emperors since the 15th century, or rather what remains of it. The defenders of the fortress fought to the end, not wanting to surrender to Napoleon (1809). As a result, the fortress was almost completely destroyed - only small fragments remained. The bell tower was built in 1588. and remained untouched. The tower houses the oldest bell in Styria, cast in 1382. and a medieval torture chamber.

Eggenberg The clock tower is a symbol of Graz, its image is on all postcards. The clock mechanism has been in operation since 1712. The clock hands are mixed up - the small one shows the minutes, and the big one shows the hours. Many young townspeople kiss here for the first time.
Broken nearby beautiful park, where citizens and guests of the city like to walk. To climb to Schlosberg, it is better to use the funicular (since 1894), because its steepness reaches 60 degrees. But it’s better to go down on foot, along the stairs that start at the Clock Tower and lead out to Sporgasse Street. From the descent there is a magnificent view of the red roofs of houses and the historical part of the city.
On the southern edge of the city park is the city opera house. It was built at the end of the 19th century by architects Helmer and Fellner.

The basilica in MariazelBurg is a partially destroyed fortress; meetings of the Styrian government are now held here. The building was built by decision of Emperor Frederick III. In 1499, a few years after the completion of construction, Maximilian I ordered the installation of a spiral staircase inside the fortress.
The Styrian Parliament meets in the Landhaus building, designed by Domenico del Aglio. He worked in a style transitional from Renaissance to Baroque, a characteristic detail of which is a courtyard with an arcade gallery.
The nearby arsenal is of great interest. It was considered the largest weapons storage facility in Austria. Now there is a museum here, the richest collection of weapons is presented here: 30,000 samples.
...surroundings of Graz

DachsteinEggenberg is one of the largest and most luxurious castles in the country. Located on the western outskirts of the city. The castle was built by Ulrich von Eggenberg in 1625 according to Spanish models. The castle's frescoes were created as an architectural representation of the Universe, to further honor the Eggenberg family.
Every day a new view: 365 windows make this possible! Interior in Baroque and Rococo style. The castle is surrounded by a romantic park where peacocks walk under the trees.
Mariazel. For 850 years now, it has been one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Austria, an attractive center for thousands of pilgrims from all over Europe. The natural landscape around the city is a gift sent from heaven.

Pooh at Weitz's in 1157 here a priest appeared with a wooden figurine depicting the Virgin Mary. He built a shelter (Zelle) for his figurine. With the appearance of the Virgin Mary, miracles began that attract pilgrims. The current basilica was built in the 17th century by the architect Domenico Sciassia; Maria Theresa received her first communion here.
The Styrian winter sports resort is located in the Dachstein-Tauern mountain range. But you can also relax here in summer: cyclists and tourists who prefer an active holiday are guaranteed an eventful stay and breathtaking views.
Styria is the largest wine producer in the country. Here you can choose one of 8 wine routes, following which you will visit wine cellars: Schilcher Weinstrasse, Suedsteirische Weinstrasse, Rebenland Weinstrasse, etc.
You can also take the "apple path" which goes around Weiz and runs along the orchards of Styria. On your way you will see beautiful villages, artisans at work, churches and picnic areas. Puch is a real center for the production of apple juice, the “capital” of the route. In autumn, the 25 km long “apple tree path” turns into a paradise full of vitamins! Here you can try apple champagne, apple Sturm (wine), and apple juice. And in spring there are soft pink clouds of flowering trees everywhere.