Reinerhof

The Reinerhof, also referred to as Reiner Hof, is located in the first district of the Inner City and holds the distinction of being the oldest documented building in Graz.The name “Stift Rein” originates from its first owner.

The Reinerhof is situated between Schloßbergplatz and the former Palais Khuenburg, which currently serves as the Graz City Museum.The first mention of it can be traced back to a document from 1164.In the year it was mentioned, Margrave Ottokar III generously donated a farm to the Cistercian monastery in Rein. This farm was constructed on the land that originally belonged to three separate farmsteads.During that period, the property was situated directly adjacent to the city wall and encompassed the area where house number 18, known as the Palais Khuenberg, stands today.The area known as the first sack extended to this location, which is marked by a row of medieval houses. It is from this point that Sackstraße derived its name.The city gate tower locked the first sack.The Reinerhof, a monastery courtyard, is mentioned as being located adjacent to the tower around the year 1346.After 1788, the Rein Abbey sold the Stiftshof.Count Dismas von Dietrichstein is recorded as the owner starting from 1798.He united the Reinerhof and the former Palais Khuenberg.

In 1837, Albrecht von Austria-Teschen (1817–1895) became the second colonel of the 13th Infantry Regiment stationed in Graz. He decided to live on the first floor of the Rainerhof (located at Graz, First Sack No. 238), which was owned by Maximilian von Wimpffen (1770–1854) at the time. The Rainerhof was previously owned by Sigmund Conrad von Eybesfeld’s (1821–1898) father.

In 1895, the property was owned by the KK Privileged Inner-Austrian Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

The City of Graz has owned the building since 1918.From 1992 to 1994, the Reinerhof underwent a comprehensive renovation, which also involved conducting archaeological investigations.

The floor plan of the Reinerhof is shaped like a hook.The core of the building does not date back to the time mentioned in the documentary, but rather to the 15th century.During the 16th to 18th century, various modifications were made to the building’s structure.The façades from the Biedermeier period of 1839 and 1840 were designed by Georg Hauberisser the Elder.On the north side, there are three terracotta reliefs that depict the seasons of spring, summer, and autumn.

Located on the ground floor of the east wing, specifically within the Palais Khuenburg property as indicated by the cadastre, there is a charming small late Gothic hall. This hall features a central pillar with intricate detailing and is adorned with coats of arms that were originally painted.The unique architectural style of constructing one-pillar rooms for representative purposes was primarily limited to the 13th century.The purpose of the Gothic hall in the Reinerhof is still uncertain, although it can be determined that it does not serve as a chapel.

In 1887/88, Johann Puch held the position of foreman in the bicycle department at Luchscheider, a sewing machine dealer located in the Reinerhof. During the clearance and renovation of the “Gothic Hall” in 1997/98, a lathe from that time period was discovered.In 1999, Taliman Sluga and Taliman Sluga jointly organized the Graz bicycle history workshop for the VeloCity cycling conference.In recent years, the Gothic Hall has been utilized for temporary events or as a sales room.

The chapel in the former house was dedicated to St. Anna.The altarpiece featured a depiction of Anna the Third, created by the artist Johann Veit Hauckh.The altarpiece is currently located in Waldstein Castle, which is situated in the Styrian community of Deutschfeistritz.

Since the renovation, the north wing has been home to two shops and two restaurants on the ground floor. This wing is slightly longer than the others but is situated one floor lower. Interestingly, some of these establishments are located slightly below the level of Schlossbergplatz on the outside.The apartments located above can be accessed by a small staircase and a front door on the north side of the building.