Architectural guide: Graz

Graz is widely deemed Austria’s capital of architecture.

The Alpine country’s second largest city boasts both an Old Town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the experimental Graz School buildings of the late 20th century. As the UNESCO City of Design since 2011, Graz fascinates with outstanding examples of historical and contemporary architecture that range from the Renaissance Eggenberg Palace to the Kunsthaus, otherwise known as the “Friendly Alien.”

The updated second edition of the Architekturführer Graz—now also available in English translation—has been expanded to include 60 additional buildings. The book covers all relevant architecture from the 12th to 21st centuries. Twelve tours lead the reader to over 300 buildings, streets, and squares. The accompanying texts provide an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the building activities and embed this knowledge in the appropriate artistic and cultural-historical context.