Churches & Cathedrals In Graz
There are various religious structures in Graz, like in most Catholic Austrian cities. The Leechkirche at the University of Graz, the Stiegenkirche as part of the medieval Paulsburg in Sporgasse, and the Rupertikirche in Straßgang are the city’s oldest churches. The highest church buildings are the brick neo-Gothic Herz-Jesu-Kirche and the Franziskanerkirche, the lower half of whose tower was previously part of Graz’s city wall. The Herz-Jesu-Kirche is the third highest church in Austria and the tallest building in Graz, standing at 109.6 meters. The 1361 first recorded Parish Church of St. Leonhard is located in the same region as the LKH Graz. At this point in time, the Meierhof Guntarn was the first hamlet outside of Graz’s inner city.
Graz has various ecclesiastical branches, many of which were disbanded during the Josephine reforms of 1783. There were mostly nursing and educational monasteries left. Since the 13th century, a Franciscan monastery has been retained in the city center, and on the other side of the Mur lies the Minorite monastery with the baroque Mariahilferkirche. The Trinity Church, opposite the Schloßbergsteig on the Sackstraße, was the church of the old Ursuline Convent until 1900. The Antoniuskirche is located on the Paulustorgasse, near to the Folklore Museum.
The bigger complexes in Graz include the Dominican convent on Münzgrabenstrasse, the Lazarist monastery on Mariengasse, and the Sisters of Mercy monastery directly next to it. The Brothers of Mercy run two hospitals in Graz: one in Marschallgasse (which will be expanded in 2019) and one in Eggenberg. The Elisabethines in Gries and the Sisters of the Cross with a convent and private clinic in Geidorf are nursing orders for women. The Ursulines in Leonhardstraße, the school sisters at the foot of the Schloßberg and in Eggenberg, as well as the Sacre Coeur Graz school and convent.
The Grabenkirche is the monastery church of the Capuchin order in Geidorf, as is the Church of the Redeemer on the grounds of the LKH Graz, and the Church of Maria Schnee, which is part of the Carmelite monastery in Grabenstraße. The Carmelite monastery with the church of St. Joseph is located next to the men’s monastery. The original convent on the old Fischplatz (now Andreas-Hofer-Platz) was dissolved in 1782, and the edifice was destroyed in 1934. In addition to the Church of the Sisters of the Cross and the private clinic, Geidorf features a modern religious edifice, the Salvator Church.
The Graz Calvary is located in Lend’s fourth district. The Austein complex was founded in the 16th century and is controlled by the Jesuits. The high baroque Calvary Church with the Holy Stairs and the Ecce Homo stage, as well as the numerous chapels, are especially noteworthy. The Church of Mercy and the Church of St. Mary, both located close Graz Central Station, are well worth a visit.
The Church of St. Andrä, the Welsche Church on Griesplatz, and the Bürgerspitalkirche are all noteworthy Gothic and Baroque church structures in Gries. Aside from the baroque Karlauerkirche and the central cemetery church in neo-Gothic brick style, there are some modern church buildings: St. Lukas with its unusual interior, St. John as part of the Trieste settlement, and Don Bosco church and parish center, which housed a toll station and a powder magazine. The Jakomini neighborhood is distinguished mostly for the contemporary Münzgrabenkirche and the embossed Joseph Church.
The environs of Mariatrost are a spiritual place in Graz. Since 1714, the Mariatrost Basilica, a nationally recognized and baroque pilgrimage church atop the Purberg, has been the official destination of vast streams of pilgrims. A miracle statue of Mary from Eisbach’s Rein Abbey is revered. The religious structure was constructed between 1714 and 1779. Following the Josephine reforms, the monastic wings were converted into stables. The Franciscans revived the pilgrimage practice from the mid-nineteenth century until 1996. The following year, Pope John Paul II designated Mariatrost as a minor basilica. The pilgrimage church issued the Mariatroster Declaration in 1968.
Aside from the Mariatrost basilica, there are two more holy structures in the district: the Mariagrüner Kirche, which is regarded as the most important religious foundation by a Graz resident. On his excursions, Napoleon’s brother, Louis Bonaparte, frequently visited the church edifice. Peter Rosegger, a Styrian writer, married his first wife in the Mariagrüner church in 1873. The contemporary Church of the Annunciation in Kroisbach, on the other hand, which was integrated within a housing complex and consecrated in 1974.
The parish church of St. Peter may be seen from afar in the St. Peter region. The church of St. Ulrich and the adjoining spring sanctuary, the parish church of St. Vitus, and the church of the Holy Family in Andritz are all located northeast of Graz. St. Paul in Waltendorf’s Eisteichsiedlung and the Bruder-Klaus-Kirche near the satellite town on the Berliner Ring in Ragnitz both have a religious structure.
The Church of St. Anna, the Castle Church of Eggenberg Castle, the Fourteen-Nothelfer Church, the modern Church of the Guardian Angel, the Church of St. Vincent, and the Church of St. Johann and Paul can be found on the right bank of the Mur in the districts of Gösting and Eggenberg. Other religious structures in Graz may be found in the southern area of Straßgang, including the Maria im Elend Church, the Castle Church of St. Martin, the relatively isolated Floriani Church atop the Florianiberg, the Elisabeth Church, and the aforementioned Ruperti Church. The parish church, erected in 1967, is located in Graz’s youngest district, Puntigam St. Leopold, while the institutional church of the southern site is located in the LKH Graz Süd-West.
The Heilandskirche, located near the Graz Opera House, is the city’s largest evangelical church. After a Protestant house of worship had been established here since 1824, the current edifice was completed in the historicist style in 1853. It is part of a complex that includes church buildings and the Martin Luther House. The Evangelical Church also contains the Kreuzkirche on the outskirts of the Volksgarten, whose parish residence is the Mühl-Schlössl, the Christ Church in Eggenberg, the Evangelical Church of St. John in Andritz, and the Redeemer Church in Liebenau.
In addition to the Catholic and Protestant church buildings in Graz, there is the Old Catholic Church on Kernstockgasse, the Coptic Church on Wiener Strasse, and denominational centers throughout the city, including a parish hall of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in Eggenberg.
There is also a synagogue in Graz. The historic Graz synagogue was completed in 1892 and served the Jewish population of 2,500 people. It was a replacement structure to the synagogue in Graz’s historic Jewish district. During the ReichskristallnachtThe prayer building was burnt down and the entire area was demolished from November 9th to 10th, 1938, in order to obliterate the synagogue’s memory. All Graz Jews were transported to Vienna, and Graz was named the Ostmark’s first “Jew-free” city. Until 1998, the location of the demolished synagogue was merely a grass with a memorial stone. In 1998, the new Graz synagogue and community center were erected utilizing the original masonry.
Graz Cathedral
The Graz Cathedral, also known as the cathedral, episcopal church, and parish church of St. Gydius, is a significant art and cultural-historical structure in Graz, Austria, and the entire province of Styria. Constructed in the late Gothic-style architecture in the 15th century under Friedrich III, it was promoted to the position of cathedral church in 1786 when Graz became the seat of a bishopric. The religious structure, designed as a church fort outside the medieval city walls, lies on an elevated location between Bürgergasse and Burggasse.
The Graz Cathedral appears big and straightforward from the outside, with only the choir having a movable wall construction with buttresses and elaborate tracery ornamentation. The once-impressively painted façade is now mostly white, with only a few fresco remnants remaining. The best-known example is the painting of the plague of God on the south side of the nave, credited to painter Thomas von Villach.
The church’s interior has been altered multiple times, including the addition of side chapels and a baroque organ gallery. However, the Graz Cathedral remains a hall church, a style popular during the late Gothic period. The extended choir is joined by a towering triumphal arch, and the floor design is comparable to that of the previously built mendicant cathedrals of the Dominicans and Franciscans in Graz.
The church, along with the nearby imperial tomb, castle, and theater, forms the ensemble of the Graz city crown.
Graz Calvary
The Graz Calvary, built in the 17th century, is located on Austein near the Mur River in the Lend district of Graz. At the top of the rocky peak, there is a group depicting the crucifixion, consisting of three crosses and several chapels. The Calvary Church of the Holy Cross, built later in the high-baroque style, is located at the base of the rock. Adjacent to the church are the Holy Stairs and an Ecce-Homo stage. The Way of the Cross, consisting of 14 stations leading to Calvary, is no longer in existence.
The Graz Calvary was the first replica of the Golgota, the Crucifixion Hill in Jerusalem, and its surrounding structures that depicted the crucifixion of Christ. It was created within the Habsburg hereditary lands and was under the patronage of the Jesuit order until the 18th century. Since its inception, the Graz Calvary has been a popular destination for pilgrimages and processions.
The Calvary complex features several chapels donated by the Jesuits, affluent citizens, and Emperor Leopold I. All chapels are easily accessible and feature a round arch stone portal adorned with wrought iron gates from the baroque period. The triangular gables of the chapels contain reliefs that depict the instruments of the Passion, also known as the Arma Christi in Latin, which symbolize Christ’s battle against sin during his Passion.
The crucifixion group has been located at the highest point of Calvary since the beginning of the Austein’s development up until the present day. Beneath the cross, there are three sandstone statues crafted by Jakob Schoy: the Virgin Mary, John, and Mary Magdalene.
Franciscan Monastery of Graz
The Franciscan Monastery of Graz is a Roman Catholic male monastery in the Austrian city of Graz, located on the banks of the Mur River in Styria. Established in the early 13th century, it was the first of its kind in the city. In the 16th century, the monastery came under the ownership of the Franciscan Observants (OFM), who have maintained ownership ever since.
The Franziskanerkirche Graz, now the parish church Graz-Mariä Himmelfahrt, is located next to the convent building. The parish church of Graz-Mariae Himmelfahrt, located in the deanery of Graz-Mitte, is also affiliated with the city church of Graz.
The Franciscan Church, located at Franziskanerplatz 16 and Neutorgasse 5, is listed as a historical site and is accompanied by the Franciscan Monastery and sections of the former city wall. The monastery has a rich history, with the first brothers, Albert and Marchward, arriving in Graz between 1230 and 1239. In 1517, the main order split into minorites and observants, leading to the Graz monastery coming under the control of the observant Franciscan reformers from the Viennese order province.
During the 18th century, the monastery successfully avoided dissolution under Emperor Joseph II by assuming responsibility for pastoral care. The church community in Graz, consisting of approximately 1,300 members, focuses on pastoral care and training young Franciscans. They also oversee the impressive inventory of the central library of the Vienna Franciscan Province.
Trinity Church
The Trinity Church is a Roman Catholic church in Graz’s Inner City, situated between Schloßbergplatz and Murkai on Sackstrasse. It was initially known as the Ursuline Church and was built between 1694 and 1704 by Bartholomäus Ebner for the Ursuline Sisters. The church was approved by Emperor Leopold I in 1686 and occupies the location where a moat once existed. The foundation stone was laid in 1696, following the construction of a mortuary chapel in 1694/95. Anton Leithner designed the plans for the construction of the Ursuline Monastery, which spanned from 1700 to 1722.
The church was not dissolved during the Josephine reforms because the sisters were actively engaged in teaching. In 1900, the building complex was acquired by the Franciscan Institute of the School Sisters in Graz, which is now known as the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The Ursulines relocated to the newly constructed convent on Leonhardstraße. The beneficiary house, completed in 1699, was unfortunately demolished in 1900. The Trinity Church was not subjected to any alterations.
The church is currently under the authority of the Graz-Mariae Himmelfahrt parish, managed by the Franciscans. It is part of the Graz-Mitte deanery within the Stadtkirche Graz. The church was constructed in the Italian Baroque architectural style, a prime example of the Habsburg Baroque style, which is considered a manifestation of the South German-Austrian Baroque movement. The facade was restored in 2018, bringing back its original white color scheme.
Parish Church of the Holy Blood
The Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Blood, also known as Propstei, is located in the Inner City district of Graz and is part of the parish church of Graz-St. Blood. The first church was suggested by Emperor Friedrich III in 1440, and the Corporis Christi chapel was completed a quarter of a century ago. The Dominican Order expanded the small three-bay chapel in 1478, including an elongated chancel, but construction was not completed until 1520. In 1585, the Jesuit order took over the parish church of St. Ägyd, which became Graz Cathedral. The Dominicans were instructed to construct a new church, and Archduke Charles II cleared their monastery to make space for it.
The main hall of the church features a distinctive mendicant gothic style, with a notable roof turret with a copper helmet. The baroque altars underwent a replacement with neo-gothic ones during the 19th century, with the remaining structures being the Johannes Nepomuk chapel and the former high altar painting called Mariae Himmelfahrt.
During World War II, Gothic stained glass windows were destroyed, and Albert Birkle was commissioned to redesign his artwork, which was deemed “degenerate” during the Third Reich. This church is one of the few that displays images of Hitler and Mussolini alongside those who tormented Christ.
The impressive organ, built by Rieger (Vorarlberg), was completed in 1970 and features 46 registers spread across three manuals and a pedal. The pedals are not located on both sides of the towers, and only the seven largest pipes on the C sharp side of the Principal 16′ are positioned in front of the Hauptwerk.
Salvator Church
The Salvatorkirche, also known as Pfarrkirche Graz-Christ der Salvator, is a Roman Catholic church located in the Geidorf district of Graz, specifically in the third district.The church was originally a part of the Graben parish and became an independent parish in 1981. It now serves as the main church for the Graz-Christus der Salvator parish in the Graz-East deanery of the Graz city church.The Salvatorkolleg Graz is also situated in Graz, serving as the branch of the Salvatorians SDS.
The Salvator Church is a place of worship dedicated to Christ the Savior.The construction of the parish center took place in two phases. In response to the population growth in the 1960s, a church room was constructed, along with an adjacent rectory.Karl Raimund Lorenz was the architect of this building complex, which opened in 1969.The pastoral care was assumed by the religious community of the Salvatorians.Construction of the Pastoral Care Center Graz-Nord commenced following the acquisition of the adjacent property. This center will serve as a hub for pastoral care and meetings.
The room in the church has a floor plan that is square in shape.The pews are arranged in a concentric manner around the semicircular sanctuary, which features a beautiful round rose window.Inside, there are twelve columns that symbolize the apostles.There are 14 supports that carry the Stations of the Cross.The tabernacle, which is shaped like an ear of corn, is constructed from brass.The organ is located beside the altar, with a natural stone jutting into the room on the eastern side.
Church and Convent of the Sisters of the Cross
The Sisters of the Cross church and convent can be found on Kreuzgasse in the Geidorf district of Graz, specifically in the third district.The convent is a branch of the Sisters of Charity of the Holy Cross.Adjacent to it is the Sanatorium of the Holy Cross Sisters, which serves as a general hospital.
The Sisters of the Holy Cross congregation was founded in Switzerland in 1856. In 1871, they established a maids’ asylum in Graz, specifically located in Leonhardstraße.The priest’s hospital was established in Grabenstraße in 1872. After that, in 1878, after-school care centers were opened in the parishes of St. Andrä and Münzgraben. Finally, in 1885, the Maria Hilf sanatorium was founded.
The provincial house was constructed in Kreuzgasse in 1887.In 1891, the sisters from Graz assumed responsibility for nursing duties at the Villach hospital, leading to the subsequent establishment of a branch there.The Annaheim, a denominational old people’s and nursing home, was constructed on Riesstraße in 1983.Meanwhile, due to a shortage of young individuals from the Sisters of the Holy Cross, certain institutions have been transferred to other religious communities.
The entire complex was constructed in the late 19th century, starting in 1887, and was designed in a historicist-neo-Gothic architectural style.The building was only extended by a church in 1891 and by the Josefshaus in the south wing in 1904/1905.The complex is elongated and is comprised of four floors.
Carmelite Church of St. Joseph
The Carmelite Church of St. Josef in Graz is a Roman Catholic church that serves as the monastery church for the Discalced Carmelites convent.
The church, founded by Eleonora Gonzaga, the second wife of Emperor Ferdinand II, was established in 1641.
The church was consecrated in 1660 and later dissolved in 1782 during the Josephinism period.
The complex was incorporated into the military era, serving initially as a military educational center and later as a clothing depot.
In 1914, the City of Graz acquired a property with the intention of constructing a new Chamber of Commerce and Industry building.
To make way for this project, they began the process of demolishing an existing building.
However, construction was suspended during the war and never resumed.
The demolition work carried out in 1934 completely eradicated any remnants of the monastery and its affiliated church.
Today, the southern portion of the former monastery has been replaced by the building of Holding Graz. The church is seamlessly incorporated into the monastery building, with a single aisle and no tower.
Maria Schnee Monastery
The Maria Schnee Monastery is a convent of the Discalced Carmelites in Graz, Germany. It was founded in 1687 and is located at the base of the Reinerkogel. The old Carmelite monastery, which was dissolved in 1789 due to Josephine reforms, is now known as the Styrian Provincial Archives.
In the 1840s, the Carmelites resettled in Graz by acquiring an estate owned by the Order since 1842. They expanded their convent in 1844 during the late Biedermeier period, with architect Georg Hauberrisser the Elder responsible for this expansion.
During the Nazi regime, the monastery premises were used as the residence for the Graz Regional Music School of the Hitler Youth. The north wing of the monastery was added in 1848 under the direction of architect Georg Hauberrisser d. Ä.
The Carmelite monastery is a three-story building with a distinctive hook-shaped structure, featuring a late classicist aesthetic exterior. The church features a neo-Gothic prayer choir, an altar from 1859, and a standing cross. The north wing houses a “small prayer choir” with a winged altar dating back to around 1833.
The preparatory room is adorned with a neo-Gothic crucifix, a late baroque carved Pietà group, and a late baroque carved cross group. In the courtyard, there is a sandstone relief created by Erwin Huber, featuring depictions of Christ and angels.
Church of the Most Holy Redeemer
The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer serves as the official church of the LKH University Hospital in Graz-St. Leonhard. It also functions as the parish church for the Graz-Holy Redeemer parish, located within the state hospital. The church is part of the Graz-East deanery within the Graz City Church.
The new hospital in St. Leonhard has replaced the Antoniuskirche in Paulustorgasse as the hospital church. The Antoniuskirche was previously located at the site of the old city hospital.The church building was constructed in the Art Nouveau style, following the designs of architects Karl Hupfer and Franz Gabrič.It was originally intended to be constructed in the neo-Gothic style.The church at Steinhof in Vienna, designed by Otto Wagner, served as a model.The construction commenced in 1909.On May 20, 1912, the new Church was consecrated to the Most Holy Redeemer under the supervision of Prince Bishop Dr. Leopold Schuster.
This event coincided with the blessing of the hospital on the same day.In 1919, the church was elevated to the status of a parish church, with Dr. Matthäus Winter serving as its first priest.The altarpiece was created by the academic painter Alfred v. Schrötter. It features 14 replicas of the Stations of the Cross, as well as an image of the Virgin Mary, which were all created by the Italian painter Donatello.The church received a new altar made of light marble in 1982.
According to architectural historian Friedrich Achleitner, the church, despite being constructed later, bears a resemblance to the Steinhofkirche and can be seen as a precursor to it. However, it has not fully moved away from the influence of historicism.
Parish Church Graz-Graben
The Grabenkirche, also known as the Parish Church Graz-Graben or the Church of St. John the Baptist Geidorf, is a Roman Catholic church in the Geidorf district of Graz, Austria. It is part of the Capuchin branch known as the Grabenkloster and is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The Grabenkirche was built without a tower in 1652 to expand pastoral care and was consecrated in 1652.
The Capuchins established a school and provided care for individuals affected by the plague during those challenging years. The monastery was closed in 1786 due to Josephine reforms, and a parish was established in its place. The Graz-Nord pastoral care center and the Salvatorkirche were a branch of the Graben parish from 1969 until 1981. In 2007, the parish welcomed a new pastor, Mag. Markus Madl, who uses a wheelchair.
The Grabenkirche’s furnishings were sourced from different churches, including the Franciscan Church, the Mariahilferkirche, the Georgskirche, and the former Carmelite Church. The high altar, depicting John the Baptist, is surrounded by Saints Peter and Paul. The tabernacle, adorned with intricate tendrils, is the sole remaining artifact from the demolished Georgskirche in Murvorstadt.
Hans Adam Weissenkircher, a renowned baroque painter from Styria, is known for his masterpiece, the “Annunciation to Mary.” The organ in the church was originally from the parish church of St. Andrä, but was replaced by a new one from the Salzburg company Mauracher in 1885/86. The Lower Austrian company Allgäuer constructed a new organ with 23 stops in 1995, which was officially inaugurated on July 5, 1998.
Lazarist Church of the Painful Mother
The Lazarist Church of the Painful Mother, also known as Marienkirche, is a Roman Catholic church in Graz’s Lend district. It serves as the parish church of Graz-Painful Mother and the monastery church for the mission house of the Lazarists Graz.
The church was built between 1856 and 1858 in the historicism style, with master builder Karl Aichinger overseeing the project. The Lazarists, an order of male religious practitioners, established themselves in Graz’s Bahnhofsviertel district in the late 19th century, focusing on providing pastoral care to the impoverished community.
The church was built based on Friedrich von Schmidt’s architectural plans and was built between 1856 and 1858. During World War II, it suffered significant damage from bombs due to its proximity to Graz Central Station.
After the war, the exterior facade was meticulously restored to reflect its original design, and the decorative figures on the facade have been traced back to the 19th century.
The church features an entrance portal with sandstone reliefs depicting the Annunciation and Coronation of Mary, a high altar with figures of Saint Vincent de Paul, John the Evangelist, Mary Magdalene, and angels, and statues of St. Joseph, the teaching Christ, and Maria Immaculata.
The old organ, constructed by Matthäus Mauracher in the 1860s, is still on display.
Parish church Graz-Münzgraben
The Münzgrabenkirche, also known as the Fatimakirche zum Immaculate Heart of Mary or the parish church Graz-Münzgraben, is a Catholic church in Graz, Austria. Built between 1952 and 1960, it was designed by Austrian architect Georg Lippert and was originally home to an Augustinian barefoot monastery and a church dedicated to St. Anna. The Dominicans acquired the monastery complex in 1807, and the church was later handed over to the Jesuits.
The new building of the Fatima Church and the Convent of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was constructed slightly south of the original church’s location. The church consists of a nave, distinct choir, and a bell tower. Religious services are held in the side wings of the church, with a chapel dedicated to Anne on the south side serving as a memorial to the old church that was destroyed during World War II. Construction began in 1952, and the official inauguration was held on October 31 and November 1, 1960.
After a tragic car accident involving Father Max Svoboda, the Dominicans in the Southern German province decided to close both the Graz monastery and the Munich monastery of St. Catherine of Siena. In 2013, the Münzgraben – St. Josef parish association was transferred to the diocese for management, and currently, only one priest serves as a hospital chaplain in Graz.
The sacred building exhibits historicist features but aligns with functional and practical post-war architecture, making it one of Lippert’s early works in the postmodernist style. The nave features a statue of St. Michael, a depiction of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, and a gallery relief featuring the saints of the Dominican order.
Mariahilfer Church
The Mariahilf Church in Graz, the capital of Styria, is a pilgrimage church that has been serving as the parish church of Graz-Mariahilf since 1783. The church was built at Mariahilfer Platz, located in the present-day district of Lend, and was designed by Giovanni Pietro de Pomis, a pupil of Tintoretto. The church’s facade, heavily influenced by Palladio and Lombardy architecture, fell out of fashion within the next century due to Josef Hueber’s remodeling.
The church’s interior was severely damaged in 1881, with the previous pendentive dome removed and stucco decoration and ceiling frescoes removed. The high altar, believed to have been constructed around 1769, features an exceptionally remarkable Mariahilf miraculous image. The sacristy, constructed in 1636/37, features Régence vault stucco work attributed to Johann Cajetan Androy.
The Minorite Hall, a former summer refectory, is situated south of the church and features a grand staircase leading to the former summer refectory. The building was donated by Johann Seyfried von Eggenberg and underwent a six-year renovation project, costing approximately six million euros, completed by 2022.
In 2005, the central larch post of a tower experienced a buckle or breakage, but the roofs were reinstalled and the gilded aureoles bearing the inscription “MARIA” were reinstalled. The Mariahilferkirche underwent significant restoration work between 2010 and 2020, with the adjacent Minorite monastery also underwent renovations.
The monastery buildings are currently inhabited by Minorite brothers, and the Kulturzentrum bei den Minoriten hosts various events including music, literature, and visual arts.
Stiegenkirche
The Stiegenkirche is a Roman Catholic church located in the first district of Graz, specifically in the Inner City.The entrance to the location can be accessed via a distinctive staircase located behind the row of houses on Sporgasse.The Stiegenkirche in Graz is part of the Graz cathedral parish, specifically the Graz-Mitte deanery within the Graz city church.
The Stiegenkirche holds the distinction of being the oldest parish church in Graz.The location of the place is in the oldest part of Graz, where the “Paulsburg” used to be situated. It was first documented in 1343 in an indulgence grant.
The name of the church, “Sand Paulsstiegen,” can be traced back as early as 1468.During the mid-16th century, it appears that the Stiegenkirche was rarely utilized, and by 1554, no services were being conducted there.In 1588, Archduke Karl II generously granted the Stiegen church and a house to his chaplain and court music director, Aurelius Mancinus von Pergola.
The construction of the new church and monastery by the Augustinian hermits began in 1619, and it was built over the old Pauluskirche. The majority of the construction was finished by 1627.The presence of a date, 1631, on the inside of the church door suggests that construction work on the church may have been finished around that time.
The Stiegenkirche served as the church of the Jesuits from 1886 to 1957.The church was damaged by a bomb in 1945 during the Second World War. It was subsequently rebuilt between 1950 and 1953, following the architectural plans of Franz Klammer.A separate church rectorate has been established since 1957.
Leechkirche
The Leechkirche, also known as Maria Himmelfahrt am Leech, is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Graz, located in the deanery of Graz-Mitte within the city church of Graz. The church was once a burial ground dating back to the 9th and 8th centuries BC, and the burial mound is still evident in the current cadastre. The church was built between 1275 and 1293, showcasing the early Gothic architectural style. The Teutonic Order of Knights granted the church grounds to the diocese of Graz-Seckau in 1979, and it underwent a thorough renovation between 1991 and 1994.
The church features an early Gothic tympanum, keystones, a high altar, a carved wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, a Gothic sacramental niche, a painted Pietà, stained glass, and towers built around 1500. The ground plan of the Leopoldine Cunigund chapel is engraved on the modern floor of the present-day church. The church’s history is rich, with the church’s history dating back to the late Romanesque period and the Teutonic Order’s right of asylum.
Evangelical Church of St. John
The Johanneskirche is the church building of the Evangelical parish AB Graz-Nord, located in the Andritz district of Graz, specifically in the 12th district.
The Church of St. John is the only other Protestant church building in Graz from the post-war period, alongside the Church of the Redeemer in Graz-Liebenau. The groundbreaking ceremony occurred in 1960, and the plans were created by Eugen Salpius, an architect from Salzburg.
The Johanneskirche is situated right next to the Catholic parish church of the Holy Family in Andritz.The low sacred building is framed by sloping rows of concrete windows and is accompanied by a tall bell tower, clearly distinguishing it as a place of worship.Hubert Hofmann, the architect of Bauhaus, designed a minimalist interior.
Rupertikirche
The Rupertikirche, also known as the Filialkirche St. Rupert or Aribonenkirche, is a Roman Catholic church located in the 16th district of Graz, Straßgang.
The Rupertikirche is an early Romanesque church, possibly dating back to the Carolingian period. It was first mentioned in historical records in 1354.The small church in the city of Graz is believed to be the oldest church.The building, which is currently privately owned, was most likely constructed by the Archbishop of Salzburg as a deliberate response to the nearby Aribonen churches (such as St. Georg, which is now the parish church of Maria im Elend in Straßgang, and St. Martin).
Although the building’s exterior has largely maintained its simple architecture, the interior has undergone multiple reconstructions. In 1620, the nave was vaulted and the choir was constructed. Additionally, in 1675, the high altar was finally completed.
Kreuzkirche
The Kreuzkirche is a Protestant parish church in Graz’s Lend district, established in 1908 to accommodate an increasing population. The church was built on a 17th-century building, the Mühl-Schlössl, and was funded by an anonymous donor named Ida Albrecht. The church was constructed between 1912 and 1914, with a nave with buttresses, an open porch, and a grand tower. The nave features galleries supported by large stone columns and a semicircular apse with a beautiful blue starry sky.
The church features striking decorations, including angels and paintings on the gallery parapets. The altarpiece is a replica of Peter Paul Rubens’ Crucifixion, created by Alfred Schrötter von Kristelli. A stone relief bust of the unidentified founder of the church is currently in the tower. The staircase leads to the organ gallery, featuring a baroque altar called St. Paulus Eremita.
Heilandskirche
The Heilandskirche, located in Graz, is one of the five evangelical churches in Styria. It was constructed in the early historicist style and is the parish church of the evangelical parish AuHB. The first evangelical prayer house was built in 1824 on the former wooden plaza outside the fortified old town of Graz. The Graz community was recognized as a branch of the Wald am Schoberpass parish and rented the Augustinian Church, now known as Stiegenkirche. The new prayer house, connected to a school and vicarage, was designed to resemble an ordinary residential building from the outside, in accordance with the Tolerance Patent.
The Heilandskirche is the sole church building in the romantic historicism style. Today’s interior design reflects the space used as a prayer house, with the altar orientation altered and the church tower, windows, and portal added. In 1992, a renovation project by architect Werner Hollomey underwent significant changes, including the installation of stained glass windows, a portable altar, a new ambo, and a baptismal font.
Parish Church of St. Leopold
The Parish Church of St. Leopold is a Roman Catholic church located in the 17th district of Graz, specifically in Puntigam. It is dedicated to Saint Leopold.
In the 1960s, a parish center and church were built in the southern part of Puntigam, the youngest district of Graz. This construction was necessary to accommodate the significant population growth that had occurred since the interwar period.However, the search for land proved to be challenging due to the prevalence of structureless suburban development.
The church, vicarage, and parish center were constructed as simple cubic structures.Later, a freestanding bell bearer in the shape of a cross was added.The church building is easily distinguishable from the other buildings due to its unique tent-shaped roof landscape, which is made of black Eternit.
Elisabethkirche
The Elisabethkirche is a Roman Catholic church in Graz’s Straßgang district, dedicated to Saint Elizabeth. It was consecrated in 1972 and features a rectangular floor plan and a pent roof design.
The church was converted into a sacred space with a tapering bell-holder. The wooden altar is surrounded by pews and features wooden panels with pictures of the parish, patroness, Saint Martin, and Three Kings. The artworks date back to 1972 and were created by West Styria artist Franz Weiß.
The church also features a holy water cauldron and a carved Madonna wearing a protective robe. The church portal features eight enamel pictures by Expressionist artist Werner Augustiner, showcasing the church’s rich history and cultural significance.
Florianikirche
The Florianikirche is a charming Roman Catholic mountain church situated in the Straßgang district of Graz, Austria. It is situated on the Florianiberg, 527 meters above sea level, and offers a beautiful view of the southern part of the city and the Grazer Feld. The church is accessible via the Florianibergstraße from Straßgang to Gedersberg, or the Florianibergweg from Gedersberg. The Styrian Mariazellerweg, also known as the Austrian long-distance hiking trail 06, passes over the Bockkogel and leads to the cemetery and parish church of Straßgang.
The church was built in 1597 and was donated by Archduchess Maria Anna of Bavaria, wife of Archduke Karl II. The church gained significant recognition after a fire occurred in the first Sack in 1670, believed to have been extinguished through prayer to St. Florian. As a token of gratitude, citizens of Graz made a solemn promise to embark on an annual pilgrimage to the Florianiberg. The pilgrimage, which takes place on Floriani Sunday, falls on the first Sunday in May and continues to be celebrated as a vibrant folk festival.
The church features stucco work by Antonio Sereni and ceiling frescoes painted by Georg Adam Echter, depicting fifteen scenes from Saint Florian’s life. The high altar, created by Jakob Peyer in 1768 during the Rococo period, features a statue of the church patron wearing a Styrian ducal hat and armor pouring water from the sky onto the sack fire. The side altars display various images of saints.
Vinzenzkirche
The Vinzenzkirche is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the 14th district of Graz, Eggenberg. It is dedicated to St. Vincent de Paul.
In the late 19th century, there existed a village named Algersdorf situated in the fields near Graz.The establishment of industrial companies resulted in a rise in population.Due to this reason, the prince-bishop, Johann Baptist Zwerger, aimed to establish a center for welfare and pastoral care to assist the impoverished population.He assigned the task to the Lazarists, who subsequently established their second branch in Graz.During the historicism period, the architectural style of the Renaissance was chosen over the Gothic style due to cost considerations.The plans for the church, which was designed in the shape of a cross, were created by the architect Robert Mikovics.The consecration of the tower cross occurred on April 6, 1893, while the consecration of the church took place on April 24, 1895.On the south side, there are statues of St. Leopold and St. John the Baptist, situated next to the portal.
The church has served as a parish church since 1932.Wolfgang Pucher has served as the pastor of the church since 1973.The organ was constructed in 1900 by Konrad Hopferwieser, an organ builder. It underwent restoration in 2003 by Orgelbau Kuhn, a company based in Männedorf, Switzerland.The cone chest instrument features 17 registers distributed across two manual keyboards and a pedal.The game actions are mechanical, while the register actions are pneumatic.
Vierzehn-Nothelfer-Kirche
The Vinzenzkirche is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the 14th district of Graz, Eggenberg. It is dedicated to St. Vincent de Paul.
In the late 19th century, there existed a village named Algersdorf situated in the fields near Graz.The establishment of industrial companies resulted in a rise in population.Due to this reason, the prince-bishop, Johann Baptist Zwerger, aimed to establish a center for welfare and pastoral care to assist the impoverished population.He assigned the task to the Lazarists, who subsequently established their second branch in Graz.During the historicism period, the architectural style of the Renaissance was chosen over the Gothic style due to cost considerations.The plans for the church, which was designed in the shape of a cross, were created by the architect Robert Mikovics.The consecration of the tower cross occurred on April 6, 1893, while the consecration of the church took place on April 24, 1895.On the south side, there are statues of St. Leopold and St. John the Baptist, situated next to the portal.
The church has served as a parish church since 1932.Wolfgang Pucher has served as the pastor of the church since 1973.The organ was constructed in 1900 by Konrad Hopferwieser, an organ builder. It underwent restoration in 2003 by Orgelbau Kuhn, a company based in Männedorf, Switzerland.The cone chest instrument features 17 registers distributed across two manual keyboards and a pedal.The game actions are mechanical, while the register actions are pneumatic.
Parish Church of St. Vitus
The parish church of Graz-St. Veit, dedicated to St. Vitus, is a significant religious institution in the district of St. Vitus, part of the twelfth district of Graz, Andritz.
The church, originally called Gabriach, was built in the Renaissance style in 1657 and officially consecrated in 1662.
The church features a baroque high altar, a church tower, and an organ that was constructed in 1981.
The church has undergone several renovations, including new bells in 1996 and the organ revised in 2008.
The parish and church are of the same age, and it covers the town of St. Veit, Weinzödl, St. Gotthard, Oberandritz, and the municipality of Stattegg.
A branch church called Maria Schutz is also located in Kalkleiten.
The Creation Chapel in Stattegg is also well-cared for in a pastoral manner.
Gerhard Platzer currently serves as the pastor of Graz-St. Veit and serves as Dean of the Graz-North Deanery.
Franz Schuster serves as a pastoral assistant in Stattegg.
The church’s central focus is the church, which was originally called Gabriach and was built in 1680.
Church of St. Johann and Paul
The Church of St. Johann and Paul is a Roman Catholic mountain church located in Wetzelsdorf, Graz, serving as the parish chapel for Graz-Christkönig. The church is situated at an elevation of 563 meters above sea level, on a hilltop of the Devonian Dolomites, 200 meters above Krottendorf district. The Alt-Grottenhof, used for agriculture and forestry, is located at the southeast foot of the hilltop. The Feliferhof-Kessel, a large fenced-in shooting range, is located on the western side of the church.
The church complex is situated on an artificial structure that does not have a floor plan directly connected to the church. Oral tradition suggests that there used to be a castle on the hilltop where the church now stands. Evidence of this can be seen in the masonry beneath the church and the continued use of the toponym Spielberg, which refers to the mountain ridge extending to the east.
The church was first mentioned in 1507 and was dedicated to John the Baptist. It was constructed in the late Renaissance style. Between 1589 and 1594, a new building was constructed through the generous donation of Archduchess Maria Anna of Bavaria, who was the wife of Archduke Karl II. The church was owned by the Admont Abbey until 1996, and the municipality of Graz has been under its ownership since then.
The high altar features an illustration depicting the two Roman brothers, John and Paul, martyrs and church patrons who were tragically beheaded by the Roman Emperor Julian. The ceiling frescoes in Admont were created by Bartolomeo Altomonte, depicting Christian virtues of faith, hope, and love, along with scenes from the lives of the two church patrons.
Rein Abbey Cistercian monastery
Stift Rein, also known as Abbatia BMV de Runa or Abbatia Beatae Mariae Virginis, is a Cistercian abbey located in the municipality of Gratwein-Straßengel in the region of Styria.Founded in 1129 by Margrave Leopold the Strong of Steyr, it is the 38th monastery of the order and holds the distinction of being the oldest existing Cistercian monastery in the world. This is because all previously established monasteries were dissolved either during the French Revolution or through secularization in Germany.
In 1276, nobles from Styria and Carinthia made a significant commitment by taking the Rein oath, which had a profound impact on the history of Austria.The issue at hand revolved around determining the rightful ruler of the empire.Ottokar II Premysl ascended to power through his marriage to one of the last two Babenberg women.
On the other hand, Rudolf von Habsburg, hailing from Switzerland, was known for his ambitious pursuit of social advancement.In the Oath of Rein, the aristocrats supported Rudolf, who then became the sovereign, marking the start of the 640-year Habsburg rule.
From 1959 to 1990, the monastery served as the home for the convent of the Hohenfurth monastery. The convent had been expelled from Czechoslovakia and during this period, the monastery was known by the dual name “Stift Rein-Hohenfurt”.
Pope John Paul II elevated the collegiate church to the status of a minor basilica in 1979.Until 2019, it served as the deanery church for the former Deanery Rein, which encompassed a total of 14 parishes.
Mariatrost Basilica
The Basilica of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, also known as the parish and pilgrimage church Graz-Mariatrost, is a baroque church located on the Purberg in Graz-Mariatrost.
The church, which was once a Pauline or Franciscan monastery, holds great significance as one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Styria. The church is situated at an elevation of 469 meters above sea level and is located along the Styrian Mariazellerweg, a long-distance hiking trail in Austria.
The basilica is a prime example of the high form of Baroque architecture during the reign of the emperor. It features two four-story facade towers and a dome, making it easily visible from a distance. The basilica is encircled by the structures of a previous monastery, which was initially used by the Paulines from 1708 to 1786 and subsequently by the Franciscans.
Historical depictions show that the building complex on the Purberg was predominantly white until the first half of the 20th century. In 1842, the plaster and whitewash were absent on three sides of the building, with the exception of the facade. The complex was painted yellow and white (“Schönbrunner Gelb”) from the mid-20th century until 2021/2022.
The basilica and adjoining monastery buildings have been undergoing extensive renovations since 2020 due to significant construction defects and damage. The exterior renovation in 2020 successfully captured the original coloring with great accuracy.
Church of St. Cyril and Methodius
The Church of St. Cyril and Methodius is a Serbian Orthodox church in Graz, Gries, dedicated to the Slavic apostles Cyril and Methodius.
The church, originally Roman Catholic, was built in the neo-Gothic brick style and was designed by renowned architect Carl Lauzil.
The church was originally a consecration hall and was officially blessed on October 4, 1895.
1918, it was renamed the Church of the Crucified Saviour. In 1939/40, it was temporarily elevated to an independent parish church.
1996, the parish was dissolved and placed under the authority of the Graz-St. John parish.
The Serbian Orthodox Diocese for Central Europe made the church accessible to the Styrian parish.
The church is owned by the Roman Catholic Church and is notable for its square floor plan and impressive double-shelled dome.
The central building is connected to the consecration and laying-out room through arcades, with the side walls featuring wheel windows and the transition to the dome adorned by four evangelists.
The high altar features a representation of the Redeemer, and the ciborium is made of light sandstone.
Mercy Church of the Annunciation
The Mercy Church of the Annunciation is a Roman Catholic church in Graz, Austria, located in the Lend district. It is part of the parish of Graz-Mariä Mariahilf and is associated with the Convent of the Brothers of Mercy.
The church was founded in 1615 by the Brothers of Charity, who established a settlement in Graz due to the healing of Archduke Maximilian Ernst. The hospital of the Brothers of Mercy is the first hospital in Graz.
The church was built as a garrison church from 1838 to 1938, with tombstones and memorial plaques dedicated to the army in the hall of honor.
In 1966, the Austrian army re-established the church as a garrison with a ceremony that included military honors. The church hosted various military pastoral events, concerts, and pre-Christmas events.
The church’s architecture and interior are designed in the High Baroque style, with a swinging tower facade and side wall pillars creating chapel-like niches. The high altar, created by Graz sculptor Josef Schokotnigg, features a depiction of the angel’s Annunciation to Mary and scenes associated with the Order of the Merciful Brothers.
The Sacred Heart altar, created by Veit Königer, stands as his earliest known masterpiece for the Church of Mercy.
The pulpit features archangel Michael battled the dragon, figures of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and a medallion featuring the words spoken in the Sermon on the Mount. The pulpit basket depicts scenes from the life of John of God, the founder of the order.
Guardian Angel Church
The Parish Church of the Holy Guardian Angels, also known as Guardian Angel Church, is a Roman Catholic parish church in Graz’s Eggenberg district. The church was abandoned in 1903 due to the First World War and the construction of a clubhouse during the interwar period. The building was officially dedicated as a church in 1932 and a staircase was added in 1971. Since 1960, numerous restoration projects have been undertaken, and a modern church was built across from the Notkirche in the 1990s.
The old and new Guardian Angel Church are located on opposite sides of a meeting place, creating a separation between them. A baroque niche wayside shrine was adorned with new pictures by Carinthian artist Ernst Gradischnig after undergoing restoration in 2013. The church is a west portal complex with a distinctive polygonal ridge turret, a single nave with nine bays, a two-bay organ gallery, and a one-bay choir. The interior restoration in 1964 removed neo-gothic furnishings, and the former high altar, crafted in 1881, is a work of artist Othmar Klemencic.
The new Guardian Angel Church, designed by architect Werner Hollomey, was planned and consecrated in 1996. Access to the interior is through a glazed foyer and weekday chapel, with an impressive tower above the chapel. The interior is exceptionally luminous, with a round roof construction made up of lightweight metal lattices and supported by four gilded pillars.
The presbytery is located on the western side of the church’s interior, and the altar zone features a magnificent altar crafted from pristine white marble. The Stations of the Cross were created through collaboration with Eggenberg students under the guidance of Manfred Gollowitsch.
