Wobbling Winos: Day 29 - Exploring Graz.

Day 29. Exploring Graz.

Fortunately it has stopped raining so we can get out and about to discover this beautiful city. It is Ascension Day today and all the shops are closed, but the museums are open.

What a pleasure to stroll around Graz with hardly anyone around. We visited two modern buildings. The Graz Kunsthaus and Murinsel. The Graz Kunsthaus designed by two British architects looks like a giant sea slug. It is a free form shape covered in glass which comes to life at night with hundreds of lights that turn on and off, a bit like a huge disco ball. We found the design interesting and felt it gave Graz an air of lightness.

Murinsel is a modern bridge-cum island that is constructed from glass and steel. It has a restaurant and small stage on the floating island in the middle of the river and looks a little like an igloo floating in the river. Once again a refreshing addition to the more traditional buildings.

Most of the buildings in the old city are to be found around the Hauptplaz. The City Hall, Dom Kirche ( from the 15 th century ), Museum im Palais and the Mausoleum of Ferdinand ll. The Baroque and Rennaisance styles are ever present.

There are many small eateries crowded around Jacomina Plaz where people take a break from their busy lives to recharge with a bratwurst or a cup of coffee while standing. Quite a good spot to get a budget snack.

Graz was called "gradec", which means small fortress, by the Slovenians . This fortress was situated on the site where the Schlossberg now stands guard over the city on the hilltop. It is a steep climb up 259 steps to get there. It grew from a small fort 1000 years ago to a huge Rennaisance fortress in the 1500's. All that remains now is the Clock Tower and the Bell Tower which were allowed to remain after Graz surrendered to Napoleon in 1809. Almost all the other fortifications were raised to the ground.The vistas across the the red-tile-roofscape to the mountains and hills in the distance is fabulous.

Schloss Eggenberg, that lies on the outskirts of Graz, was built in 1625 by Prince Johan Ulrich Von Eggenberg. The palace is themed around the symbols of the universe. There are 4 towers for the seasons, 12 gates for the months and 365 windows for the days of the year. We did not go into the Schloss but spent our time wandering through the magnificent park and gardens. There is a beautifully designed Rose Mound next to the Palace that is filled with the most impressive selection of heritage roses that we have ever seen. They were in full flower so it was a joy to wander through this enchanted piece of the garden.

The Planet garden has been divided into seven separate gardens that make the whole. Each garden is dedicated to one of the seven major planets and the plantings have been made according to the characteristics of each planet. The Moon garden for example is planted with white Icebergs, variegated hosta, lime green alchimilla molus and white irises interplanted with various greens of different textures. We were so fortunate to see this garden at its best.

As everything was closed we asked the receptionist at the JUFA Hotel to recommend a restaurant for supper. We had a great meal at Ungerhof just around the corner from our accommodation. A great end to our day!