The story of this place
Graz grew around the Schlossberg, a wooded dolomite hill fortified from the 11th century into one of Europe's strongest citadels—it was never conquered by force. During the Napoleonic Wars its garrison held out even as the city fell, and only the 1809 Treaty of Schönbrunn forced the Austrians to demolish the fortress. The citizens paid a ransom to spare two structures: the clock tower and bell tower still crown the hill today. Below spreads one of the best-preserved old towns in central Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site blending Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque over nine centuries.