Nature & Parks In Graz
Rich in history and vibrant in culture, Graz also provides a calm haven from the rush of city life with its many parks and natural spaces. Well-known Schlossberg hill provides a calm haven encircled by verdant environs. It is proof certain that the city is dedicated to protecting its natural legacy. The breathtaking beauty of plant life from all around the world is displayed in the Graz Botanical Garden. Boating and bird watching enthusiasts can find a peaceful haven at the southern Hilmteich lake.
Urban parks in Graz amply illustrate the city’s commitment to sustainability. Another name for City Park is Stadtpark. With its peaceful ponds home to a range of waterfowl species, this park provides a tranquil haven from the bustling city core. Graz’s protected woodland, the Leechwald, magnificently displays the city’s great biological variety. A wide variety of native and uncommon plant and animal species call the park home, and the pathways are well-kept.
Grazer Stadtpark
Graz City Park is the biggest public park in Graz. Mayor Moritz Ritter von Franck built it in 1869 on the glacis area in front of the city wall.
The park was established to take the role of the antiquated glacis areas that the Styrian estates acquired in 1784. The 12.6-hectare glacis lands had to be turned into a public park by Imperial Law, although development was outlawed without specific Erar approval.
The initial designs for the park were created in 1898, and the initial design was completed in late 1872. With an emphasis on growing uncommon and exotic species, the City Beautification Association wanted to create a natural park modeled by English gardens. Among the 1,989 trees in the park are 600 cast-iron benches.
The park expanded in the 20th century to include monuments of well-known people and an outdoor display showcasing Styria’s cultural legacy. In 1981, the area saw the construction of many bike lanes and a meadow for Catholic Day celebrations next to the Paulustor.
The focal feature of the park is the Stadtpark fountain, which bears the name of Emperor Franz Joseph I and was originally shown during the Vienna World Exhibition of 1873. Installed in Graz on October 4, 1874, the fountain was restored and reopened in 1952.
Grazer Volksgarten
Public park Grazer Volksgarten is situated in Lend area of Graz. Its dimension is 4.6 hectares.
The park was established in 1875 as an addition to the bigger municipal park in Graz, which is located on the other bank of the Mur River.
The traditional Volksgarten concept, which had its start in late 18th-century Germany, served as the model for the Graz Volksgarten.
The Volksgarten should play the practical function as a “active green” area and satisfy park aesthetic requirements at the same time. All ages are to be served by the park’s recreational and athletic offerings.
This need is met in the Grazer Volksgarten, which has a playground, skate park, and soccer field among other facilities. Additionally constructed in keeping with the Volksgarten custom were ponds, sculptures, and a pavilion.
Moreover, there are well placed benches along the route so you can unwind and take in the view.
2000 saw the Volksgarten renovated in time for the International Garden Show.
Leechwald
A city forest in Graz, the capital of the Styrian state, the Leechwald was first planned as a park in the latter half of the 1800s. Now including three municipal districts, it serves as a well-liked recreational and ecological compensatory area. Together with pine trees, the forest is composed of a large variety of deciduous trees like oak and beech. Vast plantings of exotic conifer species caused significant changes to the park in the nineteenth century.
From being just a basic wine bar, The Leechwald now offers a wide variety of recreational pursuits, such as running and strolling. Beyond only offering a designated jogging path and orienteering markers, the Hilmteich is the beginning point of a well-traveled hiking trail to Mariatrost. Together with the Institute for environment Conservation and Landscape Ecology and municipal property management, the mountain and environment rescue service developed a forest nature path in 2000.
Apart from the Leechwald, two other significant establishments are the Graz Forest School and the animal conservation group Small Wild Animals in Great Need. Opening in 1888, the Hilmwarte has seen changes throughout time and is no longer open to the public without restrictions. One noteworthy aspect is the “human rights path,” which has plaques showing every one of the thirty articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Rettenbachklamm
The sole canyon inside the city of Graz is called Rettenbachklamm. It is a part of the Rettenbach (Steinbach). Popular as a tourist site, it is situated between Platte and Kogelberg.
The wonderful and varied natural surroundings of the little gorge make walking there an amazing experience. The route follows the Rettenbach and passes through a stunning ravine forests full of herbs to the charming village of Wenisbuch. The unusual climatic features of the gorge—cool summers and warm winters—help to produce an amazing show of ferns and mosses. Definitely worth seeing, these natural treasures are breathtaking.
The Rettenbachklamm is located at Tram line 1 heading towards Mariatrost. Step out of the Waldhof station and head for Mariatrost along the bike and footpath. Make a left onto Mariatroster Straße and cross over to Steingrabenweg. The entrance of the gorge is close to Steingrabenweg’s finish. Bicycles are the best way to go around because there aren’t many places for cars to park.
About fifteen minutes walk separates the northern end of the Rettenbachklamm from the terminal of tram line 1. Anybody wishing to carry on their journey from the northern end of the valley has a number of choices.
Schlossberg Park
Known by most as Castle Hill, the Schlossberg is a 473-meter (1,552-foot) tree-covered hill in Graz, Austria. Originally a fortress, it has been converted into an amazing city view public park. The tenth-century castle defenses were destroyed in 1809 by Napoleonic troops. In 1839, Ludwig von Welden converted the ruins—which included two mediaeval castle bastions, the Uhrturm and Glockenturm, and the Türkenbrunnen cistern—into a public park.
Among the park’s many well-known features is the Uhrturm, which houses Graz’s biggest bell, Liesl. There are little cafés and the outdoor performance area Kasemattenbühne next to the Uhrturm. Large network of tunnels constructed during World War II to protect people from aircraft bombardment lies beneath Schlossberg hill.
Slopes abound on all four sides of the Schlossberg, which is situated in the heart of Graz, somewhat northeast of the Main Square. Deliveries are allowed only in the morning between Karmeliterplatz in the south and Wickenburggasse in the north. Two vertical lifts take visitors to the restaurant from the 90% of the mountain’s height reached by the Schlossberg funicular. You might find less crowded paths in Stadtpark next to the Friedrich Ludwig Jahn monument.
Augarten Park
Large meadows and lovely avenues have made the Augarten a beloved destination for tourists of all ages since the early 1900s.
Situated between the Mur and Pestalozzistraße/Neuholdaugasse, the Augarten is a prominent urban open area. Over 75,000 square metres are covered by it.
1951–1953 saw the first significant modifications. Building of the restrooms, snack kiosk, and music pavilion took place during this period. For those living in the Gries neighborhood, the Augartensteg bridge over the Mur River provided easy access to the park.
The kids play area was extended in 2007. Furthermore, locals have had access to a new recreational area along the Mur river since 2020 known as “Augarten Bay.”An additional outdoor area of the Augarten is a dog meadow.
- Children’s area : 5000 m² children’s playground and numerous play equipment,
- Dog area : 2186 m² fenced dog meadow,
- Sports area : soccer field, calisthenics facility, 2 table tennis tables, skate park, beach volleyball open seasonally, bocchia lane Gastronomy
