Grazer Landhaus

The Graz country house, located in Herrengasse, was constructed between 1527 and 1531. It is considered the first Renaissance building in the city of Graz. The main wing of the country house was built in 1557, following the architectural plans of Domenico dell’Allio.The former seat of the estates is considered to be one of the most significant Renaissance buildings in Central Europe.The building features ornate arched windows, airy arcades, and a three-storey arcade courtyard.The baroque parlor has been transformed into the meeting room of the Styrian Parliament. Additionally, the arcaded courtyard hosts a variety of events.

In 1494, the Styrian estates obtained a townhouse located at the intersection of Herrengasse and Landhausgasse, which was known as “Bürgergasse” at that time (nowadays referred to as “Herrengasse”).They established their chancellery and also built a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary within their house.The building required expansion as early as the 16th century.The Protestant estates were engaged in fierce competition with the Catholic sovereigns, who held their seat at Graz Castle.Between 1500 and 1510, the oldest wing was constructed in Graz’s Schmiedgasse, making it one of the earliest Renaissance buildings in Styria. Similarly, in this location, there was insufficient space for lengthy items.

In 1519, two neighboring buildings were purchased, one of which was the ‘Prueschinkh’sche Freihaus’. These buildings underwent reconstruction between 1527 and 1531, during which the master builders Balthasar, Hanns, and Sebastian Walch constructed the knight’s hall on the first floor.After the purchase of another house in what is now known as “Herrengasse,” the entire building block came under the ownership of the Styrian estates. From 1549 onwards, they openly identified themselves as a Protestant body.In 1555, the renowned Italian master builder Domenico dell’Allio was commissioned to renovate the building. Notably, dell’Allio was also involved in the expansion of the Schloßberg fortress.The main wing of the building was constructed on the Herrengasse side, featuring a large arcaded courtyard designed in the Renaissance style.

After the death of dell’Allio, his two foremen, Benedikt de la Porta and Peter Tadei, took over the conversion project and proceeded with the construction of the wing on Landhausgasse.On the right side of the entrance, there is a copper plaque that has been hanging there since 1588. This plaque serves as a prohibition against spreading rumors and engaging in self-harm, with the threat of punishment.The hints were meant to encourage proper behavior during the state parliament sessions.In the second quarter of the 17th century, a building adjacent to the country house was purchased and subsequently demolished.Instead, the construction of the arsenal began, as all armaments and weapons had previously been stored in the country house.The roof structure was renewed around 1740.

Starting in 1886, the court arcades, which had been previously walled up, were uncovered thanks to the efforts of Count Gundaker von Wurmbrand, the governor. Restoration work on the facade commenced, but unfortunately, the window baskets on the first floor were removed during this process.The Landhauskeller, an inn with an outdoor dining area, was built in 1890/91 after the construction of a new office wing that included an open connecting corridor. The inn is located in the small country house courtyard.During a redesign in 1963, both the parlor and the knight’s hall underwent a transformation, receiving a fresh new look.The Landstube is where the 48 members of the Styrian state parliament convene.

Architecture

The Landhaus in Graz holds great significance as the primary early Renaissance structure in Styria.The building is a culmination of various architectural styles and was designed by multiple architects.Despite this, the country house has managed to maintain a sense of cohesion, as every addition has been meticulously incorporated into the original structure.The Landhaus comprises three inner courtyards: the large Landhaushof, the small Landhaushof, and the Zeughaushof, which is located closest to the Arsenal.

Oldest part

The oldest part of the building complex is the wing located at Schmiedgasse 5.The building was constructed between 1500 and 1510. It features a four-bay hall on the ground floor, adorned with vaulted ceilings. In the past, this area was embellished with columned arcades.In 1889, there was a partial uncovering of the bricked-up arcades.On the third floor, there are two stucco plafonds adorned with the Styrian coat of arms enclosed in ear shell cartouches. These decorative elements were originally crafted around 1650/60, but were subsequently covered with plaster. It was not until 1946/47 that they were uncovered once again.

Knight’s Hall Wing

The wing of the country house, located on the corner of “Schmiedgasse” and “Landhausgasse,” has an L-shaped floor plan. It was built between 1527 and 1531 and is known as the Knights’ Hall wing.The plans were created by the Walch brothers, Hanns, Sebastian, and Balthasar, from Como.The wing was originally only three stories high, but it was extended in the 17th century.The Chancellery wing is connected to the Knights’ Hall wing.

The arched stone portal, which showcases the transition from late Gothic to Renaissance style, is attributed to either Hanns Walch or Hans Schwertigauer from Steyer. It features tin-plated gates dating back to the 16th century.The entrance in Graz, dated “1531,” is not only the oldest Renaissance entrance but also holds historical significance.During the late historicism period, a redesign took place in 1890 that involved the neo-Renaissance façade and the ground floor area.

Additionally, a small attic house was added as part of the renovation.Hermann Scanzoni designed a uniform roof for the two main wings of the Graz country house between 1896 and 1890.The first floor features four windows that are designed with double arcades in the dell’Allios style.The north front features a beautifully designed arched stone portal that is adorned with a chronograph and the date ‘1890’.The cities of Graz, Leoben, Bruck a der Mur, Marburg, Cilli, Pettau, Bad Radkersburg, and Fürstenfeld also have sandstone coats of arms, along with the double-headed imperial eagle.

The ground floor hall, featuring groin vaults supported by large columns and consoles, used to be connected to the courtyard through columned arcades.The wing is named after the Knights’ Hall, which is located on the first floor. The hall used to be adorned with paintings of coats of arms created by Stefan Rez in 1651/52.The Coat of Arms Hall underwent a Baroque renovation and was divided into sections in the years 1744/45, following the plans of Josef Hueber.

Pietro Angelo Formentini created the bandel, foliage, and latticework forms, as well as the relief medallions depicting the twelve signs of the zodiac and the four elements.The task was finished in 1746.It is likely that the stucco decorations found on the window niches were created by the same artist.The two Gobelins featuring the coats of arms of the estates of the princes of Eggenberg date back to the second quarter of the 18th century.

Main wing

The main wing of the Graz country house is located at the intersection of Herrengasse and Landhausgasse. It was constructed between 1557 and 1565, following the architectural designs of Domenico dell’Allio.One characteristic of dell’Allio’s facade design is the use of constricted baluster columns to create windows.This architectural style was commonly used in the construction of castles in Styria during the 16th century.The original symmetry of the façade was lost after the Marmoro brothers, who were foremen, extended the building from 1581 to 1585.During the mid-17th century, a second portal was constructed in the round arch style next to the armory. This addition aimed to enhance the symmetry of the façade while also providing easier access to and from the inner courtyard.

Resting on stone consoles, there is a balcony with a stone balustrade located above the main portal.The structure spans across three double windows and features a canopy made of copper sheeting. The underside of the canopy is adorned with grotesque paintings dating back to 1890.On it, you can see putti holding the Styrian coat of arms in their hands.

The “Rumourtafel” (1588) is located to the left of the round-arched stone portal. There is a frieze located above, featuring two panther reliefs and a large keystone. The gate leaves are crafted from sheet metal and originate from the 16th and 17th centuries. The entrance, with its lunette-vaulted design, leads to a grand inner courtyard adorned with magnificent arcades.

The arcades consist of three-storey pillar arcades adorned with Tuscan pilasters. Behind these pillars, there are cross-vaulted aisles that extend over two sides. Balustrades are constructed between the arched openings. Michael Pölzl crafted the two copper dragon head gargoyles in 1561.

The gabled roofs and chimneys are original features from the construction period.The roof features a turret covered in copper sheeting, which is crowned with a lantern.The building was constructed in 1561 by Valentin Wildauer, who used a model created by Francesco Marmoro. The prominent turret is crowned by a wind vane shaped like the Styrian panther, a sculpture created by Hans Zwiegott in 1587.The movement was created and installed by Fidel Schmid in 1786.The lantern contains a bell that was cast by Marx Wening in 1586. Remarkably, this bell has managed to survive all the destructive forces of various wars throughout history.

The first floor of the entrance gate features the “Steinerne Saal,” which includes a stone fireplace from the former Ratmannsdorf Castle near Weiz, as well as a glazed tiled stove adorned with wallpaper patterns. The rococo stucco lustro wall niches, along with their sealing presses, were removed from the adjacent “Collector’s Office”. The “Hall of Coats of Arms” is adorned with a late historicist interior inspired by old German design. The drafts are from Karl Lacher and are dated 1890. The second floor is adorned with secco paintings in the bandel and foliage style, specifically placed in the window niches. Additionally, the rooms feature four tiled stoves dating back to the late 18th century. In the northeast corner, there are two rocaille stucco plafonds that were created in the style of Heinrich Formentini in 1770.

Connecting wing to the Arsenal

Antonio Solar likely constructed this section of the country house in 1645. The arched stone portal features a mascaron keystone and a triangular pediment created by Giovanni Mamolo. The gates installed during the construction period are made of wrought iron.

Landhauskapelle

The sacred building, constructed in 1630/31, is situated in the northwest corner of the arcaded courtyard. It was designed by Bartolomeo di Bosio.In 1586, dell’Allio removed the stair tower that was previously located at this point.The chapel was dedicated to the Assumption of Mary in the year 1631.The expulsion of the Protestant nobles from Styria has been fully accomplished at this stage.

The chapel has a rectangular shape with beveled corners, and it features a balustraded staircase on both the north and east sides.The round-arched stone portal, adorned with ornamental obelisks, was crafted by Giovanni Mamolo.Georg Grissler is credited with the design of the copper roof of the staircase and the dome with lantern.

The pillared altar inside the room is dated back to 1630. It was crafted by Georg Gruesser, just like the closet doors.The artist Hans Heinz created the altarpiece depicting the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in 1630.The image above shows the scene of Jesus’ baptism.The sandstone niche figures of Saints Barbara and Catherine are believed to have been created by Hans Ludwig Ackhermann.

Country house fountain

The large country house courtyard is home to a beautiful fountain adorned with a figural well arbor.The sculpture was created in 1590 by Thoman Auer and Marx Wening, who based their work on a design by the sculptor Jeremias Franck. It is both dated and signed.The arbor is considered to be one of the most significant bronze cast works of Mannerism that exist outside of Italy.The structure is made up of baluster supports resting on sartyr docks, with dolphin bodies incorporated into it.The well arbor is adorned with a majestic armored warrior figure.Antonio Marmolo designed the fountain.