Top 12 Castles around Laßnitzhöhe

great castle

The Graz double spiral staircase, officially known as the Twin Spiral Staircase, fascinated me. Also called the Reconciliation Staircase, it consists of two opposing staircases that briefly merge on each floor, then separate and rejoin. It is open to the public, and you can walk up and down the stairs (free of charge). It is the most important staircase in the architecture of Central Europe. However, it is not the only one, nor the oldest of its kind. It is carved from sandstone. It is located in Graz Castle, which houses the state government. Opening hours: Daily, 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Always good for a rest.

Entrance fee is €2, which is definitely worth it.

History Let's start with the history of the Schloßberg. In the 12th century, a castle was built on the Schloßberg, which also gave the city of Graz its name. A derivation from "gradec" - the Slovenian term for small castle. Since the castle was never conquered, it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the strongest fortress of all time. Not even Napoleon managed to take the castle in the 19th century. Only when he blackmailed Graz into destroying Vienna by occupying Vienna in 1809 did the city of Graz surrender. With the exception of the bell tower and the clock tower, which were bought free by the people of Graz, the castle was largely dismantled and blown up, a so-called demolition. 30 years later, Ludwig Freiherr von Weldenman created walking paths and a romantic garden on the Schloßberg. During World War II, a tunnel system over 6 kilometers long was built in the Schloßberg, which served as an air raid shelter for up to 40,000 people in addition to the military headquarters. Some of these tunnels are still in use today and include the Schloßberg lift, the fairytale train, the Schloßberg slide, the "Dom im Berg" event hall and a connecting path between Schloßbergplatz and Karmeliterplatz. Since 1999, Graz's Schloßberg and the historic old town of Graz have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Graz double spiral staircase, a twin spiral staircase (that is its official name), was built by stonemasons in the years 1499/1500 during the reign of the German king and later emperor Maximilian I by an unknown master builder from a medieval construction workshop in the Graz Castle.

Graz Castle is located in the east of the old town of Graz, near Graz Cathedral, and was built from 1438 by Duke Friedrich V, later Holy Roman Emperor Friedrich III. Due to its low defensive value, the castle was connected to the fortress on the Schloßberg via a hidden passage. From 1564, Graz was the capital of Inner Austria and the castle became the seat of the Inner Austrian Archdukes. Due to this position, it was rebuilt and enlarged. After Archduke Ferdinand II was crowned Emperor in 1619 and moved to Vienna, the castle lost its function as the seat of the sovereign and was neglected.

Until 1810, the castle chapel dedicated to the Apostle Thomas stood next to the bell tower. It was a Romanesque round building that was probably built in the 12th century. The building was spared from the French demolitions, but its copper roof was removed. The chapel fell into disrepair due to the effects of the weather and was eventually partially demolished. Today, only the foundations are visible and can be seen via a steel walkway next to the bell tower. The chapel of the Imperial Palace in Goslar is directly related to St. Thomas. The Romanesque lions from the chapel entrance are in the Hatzendorf State Vocational School, and copies are in the Joanneum State Museum. Parts of the frescoes have also been transferred to a castle (the citizens "helped themselves").