Graz, the capital of Steiermark, is known as Austria’s second-largest city and a city with a rich history and culture.
Key aspects of Graz:
* Historical significance Graz was first mentioned around 1128–29, receiving town rights around 1240. It became the center of Steiermark during the Middle Ages and a residence for the Leopoldine Habsburgs after 1379.
* UNESCO World Heritage site Graz’s old section was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999.
* Architectural landmarks Notable buildings include the Renaissance Landhaus, the armoury, the town hall, the 11th-century castle, St. Aegidius Cathedral, and the mausoleum of Ferdinand II.
* Educational institutions Graz is home to Graz University (1585), Graz Technical University (1811), and the University of Music and Dramatic Arts (1963).
* Cultural attractions The city has numerous museums, including the Joanneum Provincial Museum, Kunsthaus Graz, and museums focused locks and keys, and criminology, as well as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum in nearby Thal. Graz hosts a contemporary arts festival each autumn and was the European cultural capital in 2003. The Kunsthaus Graz is a contemporary art museum known as the "friendly alien" by locals.
* Economy Graz is a rail and industrial center with ironworks, steelworks, breweries, and railway workshops. Major industries include automobile development and production, precision and optical instruments, machinery, paper, textiles, chemicals, telecommunications, and medical technology.