Stadtpark Graz

The Graz City Park, which is the largest public park in Graz, was established in 1869. It was built on the glacis area in front of the city wall under the leadership of Mayor Moritz Ritter von Franck. The park was completed in 1872.

Since 1862, the city of Graz has been making efforts to obtain the glacis areas that were purchased by the Styrian estates in 1784. The purpose of acquiring these areas is to establish a public park.The property exchange between the municipality of Graz and the military administration could only occur at the end of 1868.The municipality of Graz took control of the glacis, which had become obsolete, in front of the city walls. In exchange, the military received the Feliferhof as a shooting range.

The municipality purchased the Feliferhof for 36,000 guilders using interest-free personal loans.According to the Imperial Law of November 22, 1868, it was mandated that a public park be established on the approximately 12.6-hectare glacis grounds. However, the construction of any buildings on this land was strictly prohibited without the explicit consent of the erar.

Moritz von Franck presented a plan to the Graz municipal council on December 28, 1868. The plan proposed the construction of a city park, which would include a spa salon, something the city had been lacking, as well as a water pipe.To handle the organization, financing, and execution of the project, he proposed the establishment of an association called the “Verein zur Stadtverschönerung in Graz”. This association remained active until 1922.

In May 1869, the association organized a competition with three prizes, which was open until September 1 of the same year.In 1870, the mayor ceremoniously broke ground and planted a tree.As the city park underwent visible improvements, there was also optimism that the medical conditions would get better. This was particularly important because, during the mid-1870s, the local mortality rate was higher than that of the imperial capital, Vienna.

In 1871, the government deviated from the principle of leaving the property undeveloped when Karl von Stremayr, the Minister for Culture and Education, suggested constructing a new university building in the city park’s urban areas.

The initial design of the city park was completed in late 1872, primarily based on the plans created by the painter Ernst Matthèy-Guenet in 1898. An oak tree was planted in the city park to commemorate Moritz von Franck, the founder and longstanding chairman of the Beautification Association.

The City Beautification Association, which was established in 1869, aimed to create a nature park inspired by English gardens. The main emphasis of the park was on cultivating rare and exotic trees.The former dams were used as the foundation for laying out double avenues.In the 1970s, the original gas lanterns were converted to electric operation while ensuring the preservation of the old cast-iron steles.

The park is home to a total of 600 cast-iron benches and 1,989 trees.During the 20th century, the park underwent expansion to include an open-air gallery showcasing the cultural history of Styria.Busts of notable individuals such as Robert Hamerling, Robert Stolz, Peter Rosegger, Johannes Kepler, and others were erected.In 1981, a Catholic Day event meadow was established next to the Paulustor. Additionally, several cycle paths were constructed in the area.The Forum Stadtpark is located near the center of the park and has evolved from the former Stadtparkcafe.In 1877, a music pavilion was constructed right next to it.

The focal point of the park is the Stadtpark fountain. This fountain was originally showcased at the Vienna World Exhibition in 1873 and was placed inside a rotunda. It received an honorary diploma for its artistic casting and was later named after Emperor Franz Joseph I.The fountain sculpture was created by Jean-Baptiste-Jules Klagmann (1810-1867) and brought to life by Antoine Durenne (1822-1895), a skilled manufacturer of silver and bronze.

In May 1874, the municipal council of Vienna informed the representative of the Durenne company about their intention to purchase certain fountain parts. These parts, which included the middle part of the fountain and basin decorations, were being offered at a price significantly lower than their actual cost. Despite receiving interest from multiple cities, Vienna decided not to pursue the purchase.

However, the city of Graz accepted the offer and agreed to pay 30,000 guilders in ten annual installments of 3,000 guilders each. On August 4, 1874, Graz officially signed the contract.On August 19, 1874, the fountain arrived in Graz after being transported on five railway wagons. It was then brought to its designated location in the city park, where preparations had already been made for its installation.

On October 4, 1874, Wilhelm Kienzl, who was the Mayor of the City of Graz, installed the fountain in the presence of Governor Moritz von Kaiserfeld. The fountain was put into operation on the name day of Franz Joseph I. The fountain, which features eight bronze figures in its basin, was initially only supplied with water from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day during its opening month.

The Stadtpark fountain, which had undergone renovations and was fenced off with a protective grille, was reopened in 1952. The renovations were made possible by donations from the people of Graz, following the Second World War.