Südtiroler Platz

The Südtiroler Platz, also known as Südtirolerplatz, is a square located in the Murvorstadt, which is a part of the historical center of Graz. It is situated on the western bank of the Mur River, outside the city walls.The elongated square, oriented in a west-east direction, was created along one of the city’s historic main traffic axes.From an administrative standpoint, the river now serves as the boundary between the districts of Lend and Gries. Only the houses on the south side belong to Gries, while the square area and other buildings belong to Lend.In 1928, Murplatz was renamed to commemorate the cession of South Tyrol to Italy. This change aligned Murplatz with several other German-speaking places in South Tyrol.

The area of Südtiroler Platz today has a close connection to the history of the city of Graz itself.It is likely that a ford was originally established at this location, allowing people to cross the river.The Archduke Johann Bridge, which is now the oldest and most significant bridge, was constructed no later than the 14th century.In the Middle Ages, the significant west-east connection, which likely had been utilized in prehistoric times, was referred to as “Strata hungarica”.Graz emerged along this trade route, situated on the eastern (left) bank of the river, with protection from the Schloßberg.In Graz, there is an important trade route that runs from north to south, between the right bank of the Mur and the Plabutsch. This route can still be observed in the cityscape of Graz today.The path that runs from north to south curved to the east, reaching the riverbank where it passed by the ford and eventually the bridge.The current Südtiroler Platz was established at this intersection.For centuries, it served as the city’s primary transportation hub until the Southern Railway was established in Graz in 1844.

Architecturally, the square known as “Murplatz” or “Murvorstadtplatz” emerged during the development of the “Murvorstadt” in the 14th and 15th centuries. Throughout its history, it has primarily been referred to by these names.The road is an extension of the one that leads from the Mur Bridge, resulting in its elongated and narrow shape.Mariahilferstrasse widens in a funnel shape at its junction when approaching from the north. This creates a more open area in the middle of the square.At the western end of the square, there is a flow into Annenstraße, located above the area of the Church of Mercy.The houses in the surrounding area have a rich history, dating back to the late Middle Ages. Over the centuries, these houses have undergone various transformations, resulting in the facades that we see today, which primarily originate from the 17th and 18th centuries.One historical building that stands out as a notable exception is the Iron House, which was completed in 1848.In 1845, the construction of the first chain bridge marked a significant departure from the use of traditional wooden bridges.To accommodate the construction of the robust pylons that supported the bridge chains, it was necessary to demolish the houses located at the eastern end of the square. These houses had already suffered damage from a flood in 1827.Josef Benedict Withalm, a skilled manufacturer and master builder, successfully constructed the iron house on the available open space. He utilized an early cast iron skeleton structure for the building. Since 2003, this building has been architecturally linked to the Kunsthaus Graz, which had undergone significant construction in the meantime.The initial section of the Graz tram, which was a horse-drawn tramway, began operating in 1878 and traversed the square. The aim of the project was to establish a connection between the city center and the “Südbahnhof” (now known as Graz Hauptbahnhof) by utilizing this route and extending it through Annenstraße.

Following the Villa Giusti armistice in 1918, Italian troops proceeded to occupy the German-speaking regions of South Tyrol. These territories had been previously promised to Italy in the 1915 Treaty of London as a form of compensation for their involvement in the war against the Central Powers.In 1919, the Treaty of Saint Germain officially confirmed that South Tyrol was to be part of Italy. In response to the perceived unfairness of an agreement and the harassment faced by German-speaking South Tyroleans in fascist Italy, certain squares in Austrian and German cities were deliberately renamed as “South Tyrolean Square”.In March 1928, a proposal was submitted to the Graz municipal council by a member of the Greater German People’s Party. This proposal was prompted by the renaming of various locations in Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Vienna. The aim was to rename Bahnhofsplatz (now known as Europaplatz) in Graz to align with these changes.However, on June 21, 1928, a decision was made to rename Murplatz.We have the privilege of having our own street signs manufactured, featuring the iconic red eagle from the Tyrolean coat of arms.

The Murvorstadt has always been the pub and entertainment district of the city, thanks to its location outside the city walls and its convenient traffic routes.It was possible to find a settlement here that met your needs, even though it was not in the middle of the “bourgeois” city center on the opposite side of the river.The Murvorstadt was regarded as disreputable until the late 20th century.The districts of Lend and Gries experienced a structural change towards the end of the 20th century due to several factors. The declining significance of small businesses, the rise of motorized private transport, and the emergence of shopping centers all contributed to this transformation. As a result, vacancies in this part of the city increased.After Graz was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2003, the Kunsthaus Graz was constructed on an open space located north of the Iron House. As a result, the old cast-iron building, which had been completely converted and plastered, was revealed once again.The deliberate choice to construct the Kunsthaus on the “less reputable” side of the river, along with other initiatives during the Capital of Culture year, resulted in the improvement of Südtiroler Platz and the neighboring streets.However, the introduction of new trendy bars, cafes, and shops also led to the gentrification of the area.Despite being a pedestrian zone, Südtiroler Platz continues to play a significant role in transportation. Presently, tram lines 1, 4, 6, and 7 traverse the square.

• Südtiroler Platz 2 – Josef Benedict Withalm built the structure in 1847/1848 as an early example of a cast iron frame construction.It has been altered several times since its inception.The original façade was discovered during the repair of the Kunsthaus (the main side of which is not oriented towards the Südtiroler Platz but towards the Mur), and the second floor in particular still conforms to the situation of 1848.
• Mariahilfer Straße 2 – The palace located on the east side of the intersection of Südtiroler Platz and Mariahilfer Straße was constructed in 1741/1742. The design of the palace was created by Anton Erhard Martinelli for the ironworker Anton Thien von Thienfeld (also known as Thinfeld/Thinnfeld).For the construction of the Iron House, several window axes on the square side were demolished. This structure is now closely connected to the palace in terms of its overall structure.The late Baroque facade, particularly on the upper floor, has been preserved, among other elements.The stucco ceilings and wood paneling are particularly noteworthy.
  
• Mariahilfer Strasse 1 – The palace located on the west side of the intersection of Südtiroler Platz and Mariahilfer Straße is believed to have been built in the 17th century. Its facade was later redesigned, most likely by Joseph Hueber, around 1868/1769. There is a remarkable sculpture called Maria Immaculata, attributed to Philipp Jakob Straub, located on the corner of the house. Two interior decorations that stand out on the second floor are a ceiling fresco and painted wallpaper. In 1797, Kaspar Dobler, the commander of the Grazer Bürgerkorps, welcomed Napoleon Bonaparte into his house as the French troops entered the city.
• Südtiroler Platz 10 & 12 – The two gabled houses have been around since at least the 17th century, but they have undergone several conversions throughout the centuries. The facades with stepped gables, which are not typical for Graz, were added in 1906 during a conversion in the Neo-Renaissance style. These additions were based on plans by the architect Hans Pruckner.
• Griesgasse 2 – The building’s core, which is part of a listed house, is believed to have originated in the first half of the 16th century. However, the facade of the house primarily reflects architectural elements from the 19th century. A remarkable figure of Maria Immaculata, attributed to Johann Jacob Schoy, can be found on the corner of the house.
• Südtiroler Platz 7 – The 17th-century house was originally constructed in 1835 by Georg Hauberrisser senior. It was later rebuilt and given a Biedermeier facade. The facade of the pharmacy features a house sign called “The Relief of a Moor,” created by Hans Adametz in 1933.
• Südtiroler Platz 9 – The plain exterior on the side of the listed building that faces Südtiroler Platz was constructed in 1954. The building is incredibly spacious and boasts two beautiful courtyards. Its substance can be traced back to the 17th century. There is a remarkable stucco facade located between the second, southern courtyard and Defreggergasse on the west side. This component is attributed to the circle of Johann Georg Stengg.
• Südtiroler Platz 11 & 13 – In 1629, showmen embarked on a journey across Europe, showcasing an elephant and making a stop in Graz. The innkeeper they stayed with named his business “Zum Schwarzen Elephant” as a tribute to the remarkable event. During the 19th century, a stylish hotel emerged, with significant portions of the building constructed during this period. In 1938, the Wehrmacht acquired ownership of the hotel. Following the conclusion of the Second World War, the building underwent a transformation into an office building. During this process, the façade was modified to align with the more modest aesthetic preferences of the 1950s. In 2012, another conversion project titled “The Elephant” was carried out by Günther Domenig, resulting in the creation of modern luxury apartments. House 11 serves as the pedestrian passage to Defreggergasse.
• Feuerbachgasse 2 – The house located at Feuerbachgasse 2, also known as the “Baumgartner-Haus” due to its association with a long-standing shoe shop, serves as the western boundary of the square. The crested gable house has a rich history, dating back to the 17th century. Its facade, however, was constructed in the 19th century. In the 20th century, the ground floor was modified to accommodate business operations. The facade facing the square features a baroque plague votive fresco from 1674. This exquisite artwork showcases the Trinity, Madonna, and Four Saints within a beautifully adorned stucco frame.