View source for Graz

{{short description|Capital of Styria, Austria}}
{{about|the city in Austria}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Graz
| settlement_type    = [[Statutory city (Austria)|Statutory city]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| perrow = 1/2/2/2/1
| total_width = 275
| align = center
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Graz (35932179023).jpg
| caption1 = Graz View from [[Schlossberg (Graz)|Schlossberg]]
| image2 = GrazerRathaus-edit.jpg
| caption2 = Graz City Hall
| image3 = Graz Kunsthaus-4476.jpg
| caption3 = [[Kunsthaus Graz|Museum of Contemporary Art]]
| image4 = Murinsel_Graz_2022-08-03_06.jpg
| caption4 = [[Murinsel|Island in the Mur]]
| image5 = Graz - Universität, Hauptgebäude (a).JPG
| caption5 = [[University of Graz]]
| image6 = 
| caption6 = 
| image7 = 
| caption7 = 
| image8 =
| caption8 =  
}}
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = Flag of Graz.svg
| image_shield       = AUT Graz COA.svg
| shield_size        = 80x110px
| shield_link        = Coat of arms of Styria
| image_blank_emblem = Logo Stadt Wien Graz.webp
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| pushpin_map        = Austria Styria#Austria
| pushpin_mapsize    = 280
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Styria
| image_map          = 
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Location within [[Statutory city (Austria)|Statutory city]] district
| coordinates        = {{coord|47|04|15|N|15|26|19|E|type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{AUT}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[States of Austria|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Styria}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[District (Austria)|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Statutory city (Austria)|Statutory city]]
| parts_type         = 
| parts_style        = para
| p1                 = 
| leader_title       = [[Burgomaster|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Elke Kahr]] ([[Communist Party of Austria|KPÖ]])<ref name="arora">{{cite news |last1=Arora |first1=Steffen |title=KPÖ-geführte Linkskoalition stellt ihr "Programm für Graz" vor |url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000131128582/kpoe-gefuehrte-links-koalition-stellt-ihr-programm-fuer-graz-vor |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=[[Der Standard]] |date=13 November 2021 |language=de-AT}}</ref>
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = <!-- Statistics -->
| area_footnotes     = {{Austria population Wikidata|area_footnotes}}
| area_total_km2     = {{Austria population Wikidata|area_total_km2}}
| elevation_m        = 353
| elevation_max_m    = 
| elevation_min_m    = 
| population_as_of   = 1 January 2025
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10034466/7772565/zahlen_fakten_bevoelkerung_bezirke_wirtschaft.html|access-date=5 February 2025 |title=Zahlen + Fakten: Bevölkerung, Bezirke, Wirtschaft, Geografie }}</ref>
| population_total   = 306,068
| population_urban   = 
| population_metro   = 
| population_note    = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = Grazer ([[English language|en]]) <br/> Grazer (m.) <br/> Grazerin (f.) ([[German language|de]])
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| timezone           = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| timezone_DST       = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset         = +1
| utc_offset_DST     = +2
| registration_plate = [[Vehicle registration plates of Austria|G]]
| postal_code_type   = [[List of postal codes in Austria|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = A-801x, A-802x, A-803x, A-804x, A-805x
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in Austria|Area code]]
| area_code          = +43 316
| website            = [https://www.graz.at www.graz.at]
| module             = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
|child = yes
|Official_name = City of Graz – Historic Centre and [[Schloss Eggenberg]]
|ID = 931
|Year = 1999
|Extension = 2010
|Criteria = Cultural: ii, iv
 }}
| official_name      = 
}}
'''Graz''' ({{IPA|de|ɡraːts|lang|de-Graz.ogg}}) is the capital of the Austrian [[States of Austria|state]] of [[Styria]] and the [[List of cities and towns in Austria|second-largest city]] in [[Austria]], after [[Vienna]]. On 1 January 2025, Graz had a population of 306,068 (343,461 including secondary residence).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zahlen + Fakten: Bevölkerung, Bezirke, Wirtschaft, Geografie - Stadtportal der Landeshauptstadt Graz |url=https://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10034466/7772565/zahlen_fakten_bevoelkerung_bezirke_wirtschaft.html}}</ref> In 2023, the population of the Graz [[functional urban area]] (FUA) stood at 660,238.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population on 1 January by five year age group, sex and metropolitan regions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/met_pjangrp3/default/table?lang=en&category=reg_typ.met.met_demo |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Eurostat}}</ref> Graz is known as a city of higher education, with four colleges and four universities. Combined, the city is home to more than 63,000 students.<ref name="graz stats">{{cite web |title=Numbers and facts: population, districts, economy, geography (Zahlen + Fakten: Bevölkerung, Bezirke, Wirtschaft, Geografie) |url=https://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10411950/8106444/ |publisher=Graz municipality |access-date=2025-08-28 |language=de }}</ref> Its historic centre (''[[Altstadt]]'') is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.interreg-central.eu/Content.Node/SOLEZ/Graz.html |title=City of Graz/Stadt Graz |website=Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE |language=en-GB |access-date=11 September 2017 |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625075507/https://www.interreg-central.eu/Content.Node/SOLEZ/Graz.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The earliest documented mention of Graz dates to the 12th century, when it emerged as a fortified settlement under the rule of the [[Babenbergs]]. During the [[Late Middle Ages]], the city developed into an important commercial and administrative center and, from the 14th century onward, served as the residence of the [[Inner Austria]]n branch of the [[Habsburg dynasty]]. This period was marked by significant cultural and architectural growth, with [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] and [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] buildings shaping the historic city center. Graz also functioned as a strategic military stronghold against the [[Ottoman Empire]], reflected in the fortifications constructed on the [[Schlossberg (Graz)|Schlossberg]]. In the 19th and 20th centuries, [[industrialization]] and subsequent modernization established Graz as a major urban and educational center, a role it continues to hold in contemporary Austria.

In 1999, the city's historic centre was added to the [[UNESCO]] list of [[World Heritage Site]]s and in 2010 the designation was expanded to include [[Eggenberg Palace, Graz|Eggenberg Palace]] ({{langx|de|Schloss Eggenberg}}) on the western edge of the city. Graz was designated the [[Cultural Capital of Europe]] in 2003 and became a City of Culinary Delights in 2008. In addition, the city is recognized as a "[[Design Cities (UNESCO)|Design City]]" by [[UNESCO]]'s [[Creative Cities Network]].

==Etymology==
The name of the city, Graz, formerly spelled '''Gratz'''<ref>{{Cite EB9|wstitle= Gratz |volume= 11 |page= 63}}</ref> and also formerly known as '''Grätz''', most likely derives from Slavic {{lang|sla|gradec/gradac}} 'small castle'. Some [[archeological site|archaeological finds]] point to the erection of a small castle by [[Alpine Slavs|Alpine Slavic]] people,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ilyK1_1f0zYC&q=graz+castle+fortification&pg=PA126 |title=Historical Dictionary of Austria |last=Fichtner |first=Paula Sutter |date=11 June 2009 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810863101 |language=en}}</ref> who settled in the region after the barbarian invasions drove out the original Celts, as well as the Romans. In [[Slovene language|Slovene]], {{lang|sl|gradec}} still means 'small castle', a [[hypocoristic]] derivative of Proto-West-South Slavic ''*gradьcъ'', which descends via [[liquid metathesis]] from [[Common Slavic]] ''*gardьcъ'' and via the Slavic third [[Palatalization (sound change)|palatalization]] from [[Proto-Slavic]] ''*gardiku'', originally denoting 'small town, settlement'. The name thus follows the common South Slavic pattern for naming settlements ''[[Grad (Slavic settlement)|grad]]''.

Despite the Slavic root of the name, however, the city of Graz was founded by Bavarian settlers who arrived shortly after the Slavs, with whom they intermixed. The city's name first appears in records in 1128; a record of ''Grez'' from 1091 is disputed.

==History==
{{For timeline}}
{{multiple image
| perrow            = 2
| image1            = Vischer - Topographia Ducatus Stiria - 110 Graz.jpg
| width1            = 200
| caption1          = Graz, Georg Matthäus Vischer (1670)
| image2            = Kuwasseg Leopold, Panorama von Graz und Umgebung - um 1830 - J.F.Kaiser Lithografirte Ansichten der Steiermark 1830.jpg
| width2            = 200
| caption2          = Graz, 1830 – Lith. J.F. Kaiser
| image3            = Graz-Neutor vor 1883-Neutorgasse.jpg
| width3            = 185
| caption3          = Neutor in 1883
| image4            = Graz - Universität, Hauptgebäude (a).JPG
| width4            = 210
| caption4          = [[University of Graz]]
}}

The oldest settlement on the ground of the modern city of Graz dates back to the [[Copper Age]]. However, no historical continuity exists of a settlement before the Middle Ages. The city was originally called "Bayrischgraz" or "Bavarian Graz" (i.e. German Graz) by the German founders to distinguish it from the elder "Windischgraz" or "Slovenian Graz". Bavarian Graz, however, soon eclipsed its Slovenian counterpart and henceforth Graz always referred to the German one.

During the 12th century, dukes under [[Babenberg]] rule made the town into an important commercial center. Later, Graz came under the rule of the [[Habsburg]]s and, in 1281, gained special privileges from King [[Rudolf I of Germany|Rudolph I]].

In the 14th century, Graz became the city of residence of the [[Inner Austria]]n line of the Habsburgs. The royalty lived in the [[Schlossberg (Graz)|Schlossberg]] castle and from there ruled [[Styria (duchy)|Styria]], [[Carinthia (duchy)|Carinthia]], most of today's Slovenia, and parts of Italy ([[Carniola]], [[Gorizia and Gradisca]], [[Trieste]]).

In the 16th century, the city's design and planning were primarily controlled by Italian Renaissance architects and artists. One of the most famous buildings representative of this style is the [[Landhaus]], designed by [[Domenico dell'Allio]], and used by the local rulers as a governmental headquarters.
{{multiple image | direction = vertical
| image1 = IMG 0412 - Graz - Landhaushof.JPG|caption1=Landhaus
| image2 = Graz-hauptplatz01s.jpg|caption2=Hauptplatz
}}
The [[University of Graz]] was founded by Archduke [[Charles II of Austria|Karl II]] in 1585, it is the city's oldest university. For most of its existence, it was controlled by the [[Catholic Church]], and was closed in 1782 by [[Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor|Joseph II]] in an attempt to gain state control over educational institutions. Joseph II transformed it into a lyceum where civil servants and medical personnel were trained. In 1827 it was re-established as a university by Emperor [[Franz I of Austria|Franz I]], and was named 'Karl-Franzens Universität' or 'Charles-Francis University' in English. More than 30,000 students are currently{{As of?|date=September 2025}} enrolled at this university.

Astronomer [[Johannes Kepler]] lived in Graz for a short period beginning in 1594. He worked as district mathematician and taught at the Lutheran school, but still found time to study astronomy. He left Graz for [[Prague]] in 1600 when [[Protestant]]s were banned from the city.

[[Ludwig Boltzmann]] was Professor for Mathematical Physics from 1869 to 1890. During that time, [[Nikola Tesla]] studied electrical engineering at the [[Graz University of Technology|Polytechnic]] in 1875.

Nobel laureate [[Otto Loewi]] taught at the University of Graz from 1909 until 1938. [[Ivo Andrić]], the 1961 Nobel Prize for Literature laureate obtained his doctorate at the University of Graz. [[Erwin Schrödinger]] was briefly chancellor of the University of Graz in 1936.

Graz is centrally located within today's ''[[States of Austria|state]]'' ({{lang|de|Land}}) of [[Styria]], or ''Steiermark'' in German. ''Mark'' is an old German word indicating a large area of land used as a defensive border, in which the peasantry is taught how to organize and fight in the case of an invasion. With a strategic location at the head of the open and fertile Mur valley, Graz was historically a target of invaders, such as the Hungarians under [[Matthias Corvinus]] in 1481, and the [[Ottoman Turks]] in 1529 and 1532. Apart from the [[Riegersburg Castle]], the Schlossberg was the only fortification in the region that never fell to the Ottoman Turks. Graz is home to [[Landeszeughaus|the region's provincial armory]], which is the world's largest historical collection of late medieval and Renaissance weaponry. It has been preserved since 1551, and displays over 30,000 items.

From the earlier part of the 15th century, Graz was the residence of the younger branch of the Habsburgs, which succeeded to the imperial throne in 1619 in the person of [[Emperor Ferdinand II]], who moved the capital to Vienna. New fortifications were built on the Schlossberg at the end of the 16th century. [[Napoleon]]'s army occupied Graz in 1797 and, in 1809 the city withstood another assault by the French army. During this attack, the commanding officer in the fortress was ordered to defend it with about 900 men against Napoleon's army of about 3,000. He successfully defended the Schlossberg against eight attacks, but they were forced to give up after the Grande Armée occupied Vienna and the Emperor ordered to surrender. Following the defeat of Austria by Napoleonic forces at the [[Battle of Wagram]] in 1809, the fortifications were demolished using explosives, as stipulated in the Peace of [[Schönbrunn Palace|Schönbrunn]] of the same year. The belltower (Glockenturm)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://austria-forum.org/af/AEIOU/Graz_Glockenturm |title=Graz Glockenturm|website=Austria-Forum|language=de|access-date=26 November 2019}}</ref> and the civic clock tower (''Uhrturm''),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://austria-forum.org/af/AEIOU/Graz_Uhrturm |title=Graz Uhrturm|website=Austria-Forum|language=de|access-date=26 November 2019}}</ref> which is a leading tourist attraction and serves as a symbol for Graz, were spared after the citizens of Graz paid a ransom for their preservation.<ref name="graz-sh"/>

Archduke [[Charles II of Austria|Karl II]] of Inner Austria had 20,000 [[Protestant]] books burned in the square of what is now a mental hospital, and succeeded in returning Styria to the authority of the [[Holy See]]. [[Archduke Franz Ferdinand]] was born in Graz in what is now the Stadtmuseum (city museum).

On 2 April 1945, while the heaviest Allied bomb raid of Graz occurred, the Gestapo and Waffen-SS committed a massacre against resistance fighters, Hungarian-Jewish forced laborers, and POWs at the SS barracks at Graz-Wetzelsdorf.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oeaw.ac.at/41tage/41-tage-kriegsende-1945-english |title=41 Tage. Kriegsende 1945 English |access-date=10 March 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414134512/https://www.oeaw.ac.at/41tage/41-tage-kriegsende-1945-english |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{stack|
[[File:Historic City Center of Graz.jpg|thumb|Aerial photograph showing the historic centre of Graz]]
}}
Graz is situated on both sides of the river [[Mur (river)|Mur]] in southeast Austria. It is about {{cvt|150|km}} southwest of Vienna (''Wien''). The nearest larger [[urban centre]] is [[Maribor]] (''Marburg'') in Slovenia, which is about {{cvt|50|km}} to the south. Graz is the capital of Styria and the largest city in the federal state, a green and heavily forested region on the eastern edge of the [[Alps]]. It is located in the Graz Basin and surrounded by mountains and hills to the north, east and west. The city centre sits at an elevation of {{cvt|353|m}}, the highest point is Plabutsch mountain with {{cvt|754|m}} at the western border. The mountain [[Schöckl]] is just a few kilometres to the north and surmounts the city by {{cvt|1100|m}}.

=== Climate ===
Graz has an [[oceanic climate]] (''Cfb''),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=4211&cityname=Graz,+Styria,+Austria&units= |title=Graz, Austria Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase) |website=Weatherbase|access-date=13 November 2018}}</ref> but due to the 0&nbsp;°C isotherm, the same occurs in a borderline [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfb'') according to the [[Köppen climate classification]]. [[Wladimir Köppen]] himself was in town and conducted studies to see how the climate of the past influenced the [[Continental drift|Continental Drift theory]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X4ymCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA293 |title=Modern Climatology |last=Saha |first=Pijushkanti |date=5 June 2012 |publisher=Allied Publishers |isbn=9788184247565 |language=en}}</ref> Due to its position southeast of the [[Alps]], Graz is shielded from the prevailing westerly winds that bring weather fronts in from the [[North Atlantic]] to northwestern and central Europe. The weather in Graz is thus influenced by the Mediterranean, and it has more hours of sunshine per year than Vienna or Salzburg and also less wind or rain. Graz lies in a basin that is only open to the south, causing the climate to be warmer than would be expected at that latitude.<ref>Graz-Universität Klimadaten</ref> Plants are found in Graz that normally grow much further south.

* average temperatures: [[Graz Airport]] {{cvt|8.7|C|0}} / [[Karl-Franzens University]] {{cvt|9.4|C|0}}
* average rainfall: {{cvt|818|mm|0}} with on average 92 days of rain (Karl Franzens University)
* average hours of sunshine: 1,989 (Karl Franzens University)

{{Weather box
|location = Graz (Karl-Franzens University) 1991–2020, extremes 1961–2020
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 21.0
|Feb record high C = 22.8
|Mar record high C = 25.1
|Apr record high C = 28.8
|May record high C = 34.1
|Jun record high C = 37.2
|Jul record high C = 38.1
|Aug record high C = 38.1
|Sep record high C = 32.0
|Oct record high C = 27.2
|Nov record high C = 23.0
|Dec record high C = 19.2
|year record high C = 38.1
|Jan high C = 3.9
|Feb high C = 7.7
|Mar high C = 11.6
|Apr high C = 17.2
|May high C = 20.8
|Jun high C = 25.0
|Jul high C = 25.9
|Aug high C = 25.4
|Sep high C = 21.2
|Oct high C = 15.3
|Nov high C = 9.2
|Dec high C = 4.0
|year high C = 15.6
|Jan mean C = 0.6
|Feb mean C = 2.7
|Mar mean C = 6.8
|Apr mean C = 11.6
|May mean C = 15.8
|Jun mean C = 19.4
|Jul mean C = 21.2
|Aug mean C = 20.8
|Sep mean C = 16.1
|Oct mean C = 11.3
|Nov mean C = 6.0
|Dec mean C = 1.1
|year mean C = 11.1
|Jan low C = -2.8
|Feb low C = -1.9
|Mar low C = 1.7
|Apr low C = 6.0
|May low C = 9.9
|Jun low C = 13.9
|Jul low C = 15.1
|Aug low C = 14.8
|Sep low C = 11.1
|Oct low C = 6.6
|Nov low C = 2.7
|Dec low C = -1.8
|year low C = 6.3
|Jan record low C = -19.5
|Feb record low C = -19.3
|Mar record low C = -17.2
|Apr record low C = -5.5
|May record low C = -1.3
|Jun record low C = 1.4
|Jul record low C = 6.3
|Aug record low C = 4.9
|Sep record low C = 0.8
|Oct record low C = -6.4
|Nov record low C = -10.8
|Dec record low C = -18.3
|year record low C = -19.5
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 19.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 28.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 34.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 51.6
|May precipitation mm = 93.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 121.3
|Jul precipitation mm = 124.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 128.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 93.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 63.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 54.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 40.0
|year precipitation mm = 854.2
|Jan snow cm = 9.1
|Feb snow cm = 12.4
|Mar snow cm = 5.2
|Apr snow cm = 0.5
|May snow cm = 0.0
|Jun snow cm = 0.0
|Jul snow cm = 0.0
|Aug snow cm = 0.0
|Sep snow cm = 0.0
|Oct snow cm = 0.3
|Nov snow cm = 4.7
|Dec snow cm = 13.1
|year snow cm = 45.3
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 4.3
|Feb precipitation days = 4.4
|Mar precipitation days = 5.6
|Apr precipitation days = 7.7
|May precipitation days = 10.6
|Jun precipitation days = 11.5
|Jul precipitation days = 10.6
|Aug precipitation days = 9.9
|Sep precipitation days = 8.7
|Oct precipitation days = 7.3
|Nov precipitation days = 7.0
|Dec precipitation days = 5.3
|year precipitation days = 92.9
|unit snow days = 1.0&nbsp;cm
|Jan snow days = 11.5
|Feb snow days = 7.8
|Mar snow days = 3.5
|Apr snow days = 0.3
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 1.6
|Dec snow days = 7.5
|year snow days = 32.3
|time day= 14:00
|Jan humidity = 68.7
|Feb humidity = 59.1
|Mar humidity = 53.0
|Apr humidity = 49.6
|May humidity = 53.0
|Jun humidity = 54.5
|Jul humidity = 53.4
|Aug humidity = 55.2
|Sep humidity = 58.1
|Oct humidity = 63.0
|Nov humidity = 70.8
|Dec humidity = 73.1
|year humidity = 59.3
|Jan sun = 102.1
|Feb sun = 128.6
|Mar sun = 169.2
|Apr sun = 193.1
|May sun = 227.0
|Jun sun = 238.1
|Jul sun = 253.4
|Aug sun = 242.8
|Sep sun = 188.0
|Oct sun = 149.7
|Nov sun = 89.1
|Dec sun = 87.3
|year sun = 2068.4
|Jan percentsun = 40.3
|Feb percentsun = 49.2
|Mar percentsun = 48.3
|Apr percentsun = 50.0
|May percentsun = 50.9
|Jun percentsun = 52.5
|Jul percentsun = 55.5
|Aug percentsun = 58.5
|Sep percentsun = 52.7
|Oct percentsun = 48.7
|Nov percentsun = 35.1
|Dec percentsun = 35.8
|year percentsun = 48.1
|source 1 = [[Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics]]<ref name=ZAMGnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605200319/https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/dokumente/klima/dok_klimauebersichten/copy_of_klimanormalperiode_19912020.xlsx
| archive-date = 5 June 2023
|url=https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/dokumente/klima/dok_klimauebersichten/copy_of_klimanormalperiode_19912020.xlsx
| title = Klimamittelwerte 1991-2020
| publisher = Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics
| language = de
| access-date = 5 June 2023}}</ref><ref name=ZAMG1961>
{{cite web
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605200551/https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/dokumente/klima/dok_klimauebersichten/klimanormalwerte-oesterreich-1961-1990
| archive-date = 5 June 2023
|url=https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/dokumente/klima/dok_klimauebersichten/klimanormalwerte-oesterreich-1961-1990
| title = Klimanormalwerte Österreich 1961–1990
| publisher = Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics
| language = de
| access-date = 5 June 2023}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Graz Airport (1991–2020, extremes 1971–2020){{efn-lr|Dew Point and Sunshine for 1961-1990 period}}
|single line = Yes
|metric first = Yes
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high C = 21.4
|Feb record high C = 23.0
|Mar record high C = 24.5
|Apr record high C = 28.1
|May record high C = 33.6
|Jun record high C = 35.2
|Jul record high C = 38.2
|Aug record high C = 38.4
|Sep record high C = 32.1
|Oct record high C = 27.1
|Nov record high C = 22.9
|Dec record high C = 20.4
|year record high C = 38.4
|Jan high C = 3.1
|Feb high C = 7.0
|Mar high C = 11.3
|Apr high C = 16.8
|May high C = 20.4
|Jun high C = 24.6
|Jul high C = 25.6
|Aug high C = 25.2
|Sep high C = 20.9
|Oct high C = 15.1
|Nov high C = 8.8
|Dec high C = 3.3
|year high C = 15.2
|Jan mean C = -1.3
|Feb mean C = 0.9
|Mar mean C = 5.4
|Apr mean C = 10.3
|May mean C = 14.9
|Jun mean C = 18.6
|Jul mean C = 20.2
|Aug mean C = 19.8
|Sep mean C = 15.1
|Oct mean C = 10.2
|Nov mean C = 4.7
|Dec mean C = -0.6
|year mean C = 9.9
|Jan low C = -5.6
|Feb low C = -4.9
|Mar low C = -0.8
|Apr low C = 3.8
|May low C = 8.3
|Jun low C = 12.5
|Jul low C = 13.5
|Aug low C = 13.3
|Sep low C = 9.4
|Oct low C = 4.7
|Nov low C = 0.6
|Dec low C = -4.4
|year low C = 4.2
|Jan record low C = -26.8
|Feb record low C = -24.3
|Mar record low C = -20.8
|Apr record low C = -6.4
|May record low C = -4.2
|Jun record low C = 1.7
|Jul record low C = 4.5
|Aug record low C = 3.5
|Sep record low C = -1.9
|Oct record low C = -8.9
|Nov record low C = -19.1
|Dec record low C = -21.1
|year record low C = -26.8
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 18.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 28.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 33.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 54.3
|May precipitation mm = 88.7
|Jun precipitation mm = 114.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 117.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 125.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 95.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 67.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 55.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 41.6
|year precipitation mm = 841.1
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 3.7
|Feb precipitation days = 4.4
|Mar precipitation days = 5.0
|Apr precipitation days = 7.7
|May precipitation days = 10.8
|Jun precipitation days = 11.2
|Jul precipitation days = 10.4
|Aug precipitation days = 9.5
|Sep precipitation days = 8.2
|Oct precipitation days = 7.1
|Nov precipitation days = 6.8
|Dec precipitation days = 5.4
|year precipitation days = 90.2
|time day= 14:00
|Jan humidity = 72.7
|Feb humidity = 58.2
|Mar humidity = 50.2
|Apr humidity = 46.9
|May humidity = 50.3
|Jun humidity = 52.5
|Jul humidity = 51.3
|Aug humidity = 52.8
|Sep humidity = 56.0
|Oct humidity = 62.3
|Nov humidity = 72.6
|Dec humidity = 78.0
|year humidity = 58.7
| Jan dew point C =0.2
| Feb dew point C =0.1
| Mar dew point C =0.3
| Apr dew point C =1.7
| May dew point C =6.6
| Jun dew point C =9.8
| Jul dew point C =9.6
| Aug dew point C =9.2
| Sep dew point C =3.5
| Oct dew point C =1.0
| Nov dew point C =0.3
| Dec dew point C =0.1
| Jan sun  =63.0
| Feb sun  =94.0
| Mar sun  =140.0
| Apr sun  =162.0
| May sun  =208.0
| Jun sun  =213.0
| Jul sun  =239.0
| Aug sun  =219.0
| Sep sun  =168.0
| Oct sun  =135.0
| Nov sun  =79.0
| Dec sun  =59.0

|source 1 = [[Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics]]<ref name=ZAMGnormals/><ref>
{{cite web
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605202019/http://www.zamg.ac.at/fix/klima/oe71-00/klima2000/daten/klimadaten/stm/16400.htm
| archive-date = 5 June 2023
|url=http://www.zamg.ac.at/fix/klima/oe71-00/klima2000/daten/klimadaten/stm/16400.htm
| title = Klimadaten von Österreich 1971–2000–Graz-Flughafen
| publisher = Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics
| language = de
| access-date = 5 June 2023}}</ref>
|date=November 2011
|source 2 = [[NOAA]] (Dew Point and Sun)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/OS/11240.TXT |title=Graz - Thalerhof Climaate Normals for 1961-1990 |access-date=16 February 2024|website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration |no-pp=y |quote=WMO Station Number:11240}}</ref>
}}
{{notelist-lr}}

===Neighbouring municipalities===
These towns and villages border Graz:
* to the north: [[Gratkorn]], [[Stattegg]], [[Weinitzen]]
* to the east: [[Kainbach bei Graz]], [[Hart bei Graz]], [[Raaba]]
* to the south: [[Gössendorf]], [[Feldkirchen bei Graz]], [[Seiersberg]]
* to the west: [[Attendorf]], [[Thal, Austria|Thal]], [[Judendorf-Straßengel]]

===Districts===
Graz is divided into 17 municipal districts ({{Lang|de|[[Stadtbezirk]]e}}):<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10034466/7772565/Zahlen_Fakten_Bevoelkerung_Bezirke_Wirtschaft.html | title=Zahlen + Fakten: Bevölkerung, Bezirke, Wirtschaft, Geografie }}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
[[File:Karte Graz Stadtbezirke.svg|300px|The 17 districts of Graz]]
{{ubl
|I. [[Innere Stadt (Graz)|Innere Stadt]] (''3.314'')
|II. [[St. Leonhard (Graz)|St. Leonhard]] (''14.756'')
|III. [[Geidorf]] (''23.847'')
|IV. [[Lend (Graz)|Lend]] (''32.859'')
|V. [[Gries (Graz)|Gries]] (''30.050'')
|VI. [[Jakomini]] (''31.412'')
|VII. [[Liebenau (Graz)|Liebenau]] (''15.896'')
|VIII. [[St. Peter (Graz)|St. Peter]] (''16.629'')
|IX. [[Waltendorf]] (''12.158'')
|X. [[Ries (Graz)|Ries]] (''6.144'')
|XI. [[Mariatrost]] (''9.998'')
|XII. [[Andritz (Graz)|Andritz]] (''19.415'')
|XIII. [[Gösting]] (''11.129'')
|XIV. [[Eggenberg (Graz)|Eggenberg]] (''23.942'')
|XV. [[Wetzelsdorf]] (''16.731'')
|XVI. [[Straßgang]] (''20.095'')
|XVII. [[Puntigam]] (''10.251'')
}}
{{div col end}}

==Demographics ==
{{historical populations
|align=none|cols=2
|1869|98229
|1880|116770
|1890|135660
|1900|168808
|1910|193790
|1923|199578
|1934|210845
|1939|208106
|1951|226476
|1961|237080
|1971|249089
|1981|243166
|1991|237810
|2001|226244
|2011|261726|2021|291731|source=[[Statistics Austria]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Historic Censuses - STATISTICS AUSTRIA|url=https://www.statistik.at/en/statistics/population-and-society/population/population-stock/historic-censuses|publisher=[[Statistics Austria]]}}</ref>}}

As of 1 January 2025, the city has a total population of 306,068 (with primary residence status or [[Hauptwohnsitz]]), out of which are 215,785 (71%) with [[Austrian citizenship]], 43,338 (14%) with [[European Union citizenship|EU citizenship]], and 46,945 (15%) non-EU nationals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kober |first=Stadtportal der Landeshauptstadt Graz, Barbara |title=Statistik - ausländische Einwohner:innen |url=https://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10022937/7771507/Statistik_auslaendische_Einwohnerinnen.html |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Stadtportal der Landeshauptstadt Graz |language=de}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable style="text-align:left;"
|+ '''Largest groups of foreign nationals, 2024'''<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 January 2025 |title=Top 20 der anwesenden Bevölkerung nach Staatsangehörigkeit (ohne Österreich) nach Ranking der Hauptwohnsitze |url=https://www.graz.at/cms/dokumente/10022937_7771507/07412cb2/TOP%2020%20der%20anwesenden%20Bevölkerung%20nach%20Staatsangehörigkeit_01.01.2025.pdf |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=}}</ref>
|-
! Nationality || Population
|-
|{{flag|Croatia}}
|11,463
|-
|{{flag|Romania}}
|8,985
|-
|{{flag|Germany}}
|7,739
|-
|{{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
|7,578
|-
|{{flag|Turkey}}
|6,023
|-
|{{flag|Hungary}}
|4,351
|-
|{{flag|Ukraine}}
|4,283
|-
|{{flag|Syria}}
|4,013
|-
|{{flag|Afghanistan}}
|3,435
|-
|{{flag|Russia}}
|2,858
|-
|{{flag|Slovenia}}
|2,571
|-
|{{flag|Italy}}
| 1,934
|-
|{{flag|Serbia}}
|1,852
|-
|{{flag|Kosovo}}
|1,848
|-
|{{flag|Iran}}
|1,132
|-
|{{flag|China}}
|1,097
|-
|{{flag|Bulgaria}}
|1,048
|-
|{{flag|Nigeria}}
|1,032
|-
|{{flag|Egypt}}
|989
|-
|{{flag|India}}
|888
|}

=== Slovene minority ===
Graz, being the capital of the then multiethnic Duchy of Styria, was also a centre of [[Slovenes|Slovene]] culture, especially from the establishment of the University of Graz in 1586 until the establishment of the [[University of Ljubljana]] in 1919. In 1574, the {{Interlanguage link|Compendium Catechismi in Slauonica lingua{{!}}first Slovene Catholic book|sl|3=Compendium Catechismi Catholici in Slavonica lingua per Questiones in gratiam Catholicae iuventutis propositum}} was published in Graz, and in 1592, [[Hieronymus Megiser]] published in Graz the book ''[[Dictionarium quatuor linguarum]]'', the first multilingual dictionary of Slovene.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.dlib.si/details/URN:NBN:SI:DOC-H9LFKLTH/? |title=Primeri nekaj sklanjatev in spregatev v Megiserjevem Dictionarium quatuor linguarum 1592 |trans-title=The Concise Grammar of Four Languages in Megiser's 1592 Dictionary |language=sl |journal=Jezikoslovni Zapiski |volume=13 |issue=1/2 |year=2007 |publisher=Inštitut za slovenski jezik Frana Ramovša, ZRC SAZU |id={{COBISS |ID=26967085}} |pages=23–32 |issn=0354-0448}}</ref>

In the 19th century the student associations in Graz were a crucible of Slovene nationalism and some Slovene students there were more nationally aware than other Slovenes. This led to fierce anti-Slovene efforts by the German supermajority in Graz before and during World War II.<ref name="Granda">{{cite news |url=http://isn.zrc-sazu.si/files/file/Traditiones/Traditiones_35_2_Krek_separati/TR352%20099-103%20Granda.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818172011/http://isn.zrc-sazu.si/files/file/Traditiones/Traditiones_35_2_Krek_separati/TR352%20099-103%20Granda.pdf |archive-date=18 August 2011 |url-status=live |title=Gradec in Slovenci |language=sl |first=Stane |last=Granda |year=2006 |publisher=University of Graz |journal=Traditiones |volume=35 |issue=2 |pages=99–103 |access-date=17 December 2010<!--(via Google Documents; [http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:KsSTt5sfY7UJ:isn.zrc-sazu.si/files/file/Traditiones/Traditiones_35_2_Krek_separati/TR352%2520099-103%2520Granda.pdf+granda+gradec+slovenci&hl=sl&gl=si&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiyiNKQdxVieE89s2c8irLJ_Y7pplCPGUZxciVC_ERHycwKkALq3zwFtoF_N3_9QCodJRCu9jYcEgBEKh5IvguAAAPkSCfW4p15qd_3FXs-cnfgEHFe8WgxsOsI-7vm3fWIyP8a&sig=AHIEtbRJwxKwdl8G-BlsHzCdCpoCV95qxw])-->}}</ref> Slovenes only ever constituted a tiny minority in the city.{{cn|date=October 2024}} This is also why [[Peter Kosler|Peter Kozler]] did not include it in his [[Kosler's Map|map]].{{cn|date=October 2024}}

Nowadays, some Slovenian Styrians study and some have found employment there, whiles being formerly unemployed in Slovenia.<ref name="Granda" /> 

A symposium on the relation of Graz and the Slovenes was held in Graz in 2010, at the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the first and oldest chair of Slovene. It was established at the [[Graz Lyzeum|Lyzeum of Graz]] in July 1811 on the initiative of {{Interlanguage link|Janez Nepomuk Primic|sl}}.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.srl.si/arhiv/2002-01/pdf/sumrada.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232426/http://www.srl.si/arhiv/2002-01/pdf/sumrada.pdf |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=live |title=Janez Nepomuk Primic in ustanovitev stolice za slovenski jezik na liceju v Gradcu 1811 |language=sl |trans-title=Janez Nepomuk Primic and the Establishment of the Chair of Slovene at the ''Lyzeum'' in Graz in 1811 |journal=Slavistična revija [Journal of Slavic Linguistics] |volume=50 |date=January–March 2002 |issue=1 |issn=1855-7570}}</ref> A collection of lectures on the topic was published. The [[Pošta Slovenije|Slovenian Post]] commemorated the anniversary with a stamp.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.posta.si/downloadfile.aspx?fileid=18801 |journal=Razgledi: glasilo Pošte Slovenije [Views: The Bulletin of the Post of Slovenia] |title=Predstavitev znamke v baročni dvorani graškega semenišča |publisher=Pošta Slovenije [Post of Slovenia] |first=Bojan |last=Bračič |date=November–December 2011 |editor=Korber, Mateja |issn=1318-5705}}</ref>

==Sights==
{{wide image|Graz Austria pano from Schlossberg.jpg|700px|A panoramic view of the historic centre from the Castle Hill (Schlossberg)}}
For the year that Graz was [[Cultural Capital of Europe]], new structures were erected. The [[Kunsthaus Graz|Graz Museum of Contemporary Art]] (German: Kunsthaus) was designed by [[Peter Cook (architect)|Peter Cook]] and [[Colin Fournier]] and is situated next to the Mur river. The [[Murinsel|Island in the Mur]] is a floating platform made of steel. It was designed by American architect [[Vito Acconci]] and contains a café, an open-air theatre and a playground.

=== Historic city centre ===
[[File:Graz - Uhrturm (c).JPG|thumb|[[Schlossberg (Graz)|The Castle Hill]] with the Clock Tower]]
{{main|Innere Stadt (Graz)}}
[[File:Grazer Schlossberg Kriegssteig.jpg|thumb|upright|The Castle Hill stairs (Felsensteig)]]
[[File:ARGOS in Graz.jpg|thumb|upright|Argos Apartment house]]
[[File:Graz Am Eisernen Tor und Herrengasse-4615.jpg|thumb|upright|Graz downtown]]
[[File:Graz Opera.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Graz Opera]]]]
[[File:Graz - Uhrenturm6.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Schlossberg (Graz)|Schlossberg]]]]
The historic centre was added to the UNESCO [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage List]] in 1999<ref name="graz-sh">{{cite web |url=http://www.graz.at/cms/ziel/4519230/EN/ |title=A Short History of the City |website=graz.at |publisher=Stadt Graz – Magistratsdirektion, Abteilung für Öffentlichkeitsarbeit. |location=Graz|access-date=25 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209042512/http://www.graz.at/cms/ziel/4519230/EN/|archive-date=9 December 2013|url-status=dead }}</ref> due to the harmonious co-existence of typical buildings from different epochs and in different architectural styles. Situated in a cultural borderland between Central Europe, Italy and the Balkan States, Graz absorbed various influences from the neighbouring regions and thus received its exceptional townscape. Today the historic centre consists of over 1,000 buildings, their age ranging from Gothic to contemporary.

The most important sights in the historic centre are:
* Town Hall (Rathaus).
* The [[Schlossberg (Graz)|Castle Hill]] (German: Schlossberg), a hill dominating the historic centre ({{cvt|475|m|2}} high), site of a demolished fortress, with views over Graz.
* The Clock Tower (Uhrturm) is a symbol of Graz, at the top of the Castle Hill.
* The New Gallery (Neue Galerie), a museum of art.
* The [[Schloßbergbahn (Graz)|Castle Hill funicular]] (Schlossbergbahn), a funicular railway on the Castle Hill's slope.
* The seat of Styria's provincial parliament (Landhaus), a palace in Lombardic style. It is one of the most important examples of Renaissance architecture in Austria and was built by Italian architect [[Domenico dell'Allio]] between 1557 and 1565.
* The [[Landeszeughaus|Armoury]] (Landeszeughaus) is the largest of its kind in the world.
* The [[Graz Opera|Opera House]] (Opernhaus), the principal venue for opera, ballet, and operetta performances. It is the 2nd largest opera house in Austria.
* The Theatre (Schauspielhaus), Graz's principal theatre for productions of plays.
* The [[Graz Cathedral|Cathedral]] (Dom), a rare monument of Gothic architecture. Once, there were many frescos on the outer walls; today, only a few remain, like the ''Landplagenbild'' ("picture of plagues") painted in 1485, presumably by [[Thomas von Villach]]. The three plagues it depicts are locusts, pestilence and the invasion of the Turks, all of them striking the town in 1480. It features the oldest painted view of Graz.
* The [[mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II]] next to the cathedral, the most important building of [[Mannerism]] in Graz. It includes both the grave where Ferdinand II and his wife are buried, and a church dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria.
* The City Park (Stadtpark), located in the middle of the city centre during the Habsburg monarchy. It was designed by German architect Johannes Schirgie von Premstätten-Tobelbad. During the COVID-19 pandemic eccentric parties were celebrated which were later dissolved by the police. The responsible,{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} Jonas Fabio Cristo Pinter, an Italian club owner, was arrested and the partying stopped. The City Park (Stadtpark) should not be confused with a similarly named shopping centre in Graz, called Citypark.
* The Castle (Burg), with a Gothic double-helix staircase, built between 1438 and 1453 by Emperor [[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick III]], because the old castle on the Castle Hill was too small and uncomfortable. The Castle remained the residence of the Inner Austrian Court until 1619. Today, it serves as residence for the Styrian government.
* The Painted House (Gemaltes Haus) in Herrengasse 3. It is completely covered with frescos (painted in 1742 by Johann Mayer).
* The [[Kunsthaus Graz|Graz Museum of Contemporary Art]] (Kunsthaus)
* The [[Murinsel|Island in the Mur]] (Murinsel), an artificial island in the Mur river.
* Buildings, inner courtyards (e. g. Early Renaissance courtyard of the ''Former House of Teutonic Knights'' in Sporgasse 22) and roofscape of the old town.

=== Outside the historic city centre ===
[[File:Graz Schloss Eggenberg front facade.jpg|thumb|right|[[Schloss Eggenberg (Graz)|Eggenberg Palace]]]]
* [[Schloss Eggenberg (Graz)|Eggenberg Palace]] (Schloss Eggenberg) a baroque palace on the western edge of Graz with State rooms and museum. In 2010 it was added to the existing World Heritage site of the historic centre of Graz.
* The [[Mariatrost Basilica]] (Basilika Mariatrost) a late Baroque church, on the eastern edge of Graz.
* The [[Herz-Jesu-Kirche (Graz)|Jesus's Heart Church]] (Herz-Jesu-Kirche) is the largest church in Graz with the third highest spire in Austria, built in Gothic Revival style.
* The Calvary Hill (Kalvarienberg) in the Gösting area of Graz with a 17th-century calvary and church.
* The Graz University Hospital is the largest hospital in Graz and one of the largest hospitals in [[Austria]]. It is the largest Jugendstil building complex in Austria and was built between 1904 and 1912. It is run by the federal state Styria and is one of the most renowned hospitals in Austria and Central Europe.
* The [[Gösting Castle|Gösting Ruin]] (Ruine Gösting), a ruin of a hilltop castle on the city's northwestern edge, and Plabutsch/Fürstenstand, behind Eggenberg Palace, with a hilltop restaurant and viewing tower, as well as [[Buchkogel (Plabutsch)|Buchkogel]]/Kronprinz-Rudolf-Warte are viewpoints for vistas of the city.

=== Greater Graz area ===
* Austrian Open-Air Exhibition Stübing (Österreichisches Freilichtmuseum Stübing), an open-air museum containing old farmhouses/farm buildings from all over Austria reassembled in historic settings.
* The [[Lurgrotte|Lur Cave]], the most extensive cave system in Austria.
* The [[Piber Federal Stud|Lipizzan Stud Piber]], [[Lipizzaner]] stud at [[Piber]], where the famous horses are bred.
* Eight Styrian wine trails (Steirische Weinstraßen) through wine-growing regions in Styria.
* The Thermal Baths Region, spa region east of Graz.
* [[Riegersburg Castle]], a mighty fortress that never was conquered. It was a bastion against Turkish invasions.

==Politics==
[[File:Gemeindesrat of Graz elections, 1945-2021.png|thumb|400px|Municipal election results since 1945]]
[[File:Rathaus Graz (18305161105).jpg|thumb|Graz City Hall]]
For much of its post-war history Graz was a stronghold of the [[Social Democratic Party of Austria]] (SPÖ), but since the late 1990s the party has lost most of its support on a local level. It was overtaken by the [[Austrian People's Party]] (ÖVP) in 2003, which remained the largest party in the city council (''Gemeinderat'') until 2021. With the decline of the SPÖ, the [[Communist Party of Austria]] (KPÖ) has become highly popular in Graz, despite its negligible presence on a national level. The party placed third with 20.8% of votes in the 2003 local election, which has been attributed to the popularity of local leader Ernest Kaltenegger. It fell to 11.2% in 2008, and recovered under new leader Elke Kahr, becoming the second most popular party in Graz with 19.9% in 2012 and 20.3% in 2017. The KPÖ's popularity in Graz allowed them to enter the Styrian provincial parliament in the [[2005 Styrian state election|2005 election]], marking their first appearance in an Austrian provincial parliament in 35 years; they have retained their seats in the subsequent 2010, 2015, and 2019 elections.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/europa/oesterreich-wuerschtl-statt-weltrevolution-12892839.html |title=Klutz instead of World Revolution |newspaper=Faz.net |date=19 April 2014 |publisher=[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]] |last1=Löwenstein |first1=Stephan}}</ref> The 2021 municipal election saw a collapse in the ÖVP's popularity, allowing the KPÖ, once again led by [[Elke Kahr]], to become the largest party with 29% of votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Communist Party Just Won the Elections in Austria's Second-Biggest City |url=https://jacobinmag.com/2021/09/communist-party-of-austria-kpo-graz-election-victory-red-fortress |website=Jacobin |access-date=30 September 2021 |date=27 September 2021}}</ref> She was subsequently elected mayor in November, leading a coalition with the Greens and SPÖ.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://steiermark.orf.at/stories/3130354/|title=Livestream: Elke Kahr is Graz mayor|date=17 November 2021|language=de|website=[[ORF (broadcaster)|ORF]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/austrian-city-swears-in-first-ever-communist-mayor/a-59849044|title=Austrian city swears in first-ever communist mayor|date=17 November 2021|website=[[Deutsche Welle]]}}</ref>

{{main|2021 Graz local election}}

The most recent city council election was held on 26 September 2021, and the results were as follows:

{{election table}}
! colspan=2| Party
! Lead candidate
! Votes
! %
! +/-
! Seats
! +/-
! {{abbr|Coun.|Councillors (in the city government)}}
! +/-
|-
| {{party color cell|Communist Party of Austria}}
| align=left| [[Communist Party of Austria]] (KPÖ)
| align=left| [[Elke Kahr]]
| 34,283
| 28.84
| {{increase}} 8.50
| 15
| {{increase}} 5
| 3
| {{increase}} 1
|-
| {{party color cell|Austrian People's Party (2017)}}
| align=left| [[Austrian People's Party]] (ÖVP)
| align=left| [[Siegfried Nagl]]
| 30,797
| 25.91
| {{decrease}} 11.88
| 13
| {{decrease}} 6
| 2
| {{decrease}} 1
|-
| {{party color cell|The Greens – The Green Alternative}}
| align=left| [[The Greens – The Green Alternative]] (GRÜNE)
| align=left| [[Judith Schwentner]]
| 20,593
| 17.32
| {{increase}} 6.81
| 9
| {{increase}} 4
| 1
| ±0
|-
| {{party color cell|Freedom Party of Austria}}
| align=left| [[Freedom Party of Austria]] (FPÖ)
| align=left| Mario Eustacchio
| 12,612
| 10.61
| {{decrease}} 5.25
| 5
| {{decrease}} 3
| 1
| ±0
|-
| {{party color cell|Social Democratic Party of Austria}}
| align=left| [[Social Democratic Party of Austria]] (SPÖ)
| align=left| Michael Ehmann
| 11,325
| 9.53
| {{decrease}} 0.52
| 4
| {{decrease}} 1
| 0
| ±0
|-
| {{party color cell|NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum}}
| align=left| [[NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum]] (NEOS)
| align=left| Philipp Pointner
| 6,447
| 5.42
| {{increase}} 1.48
| 2
| {{increase}} 1
| 0
| ±0
|-
| 
| align=left| Others
| align=left| –
| 2,825
| 2.37
| –
| 0
| ±0
| 0
| ±0
|-
! colspan=3| Invalid votes
! 1,807
!
!
!
!
!
!
|-
! colspan=3| Total
! 120,689
! 100.00
!
! 48
! ±0
! 7
! ±0
|-
! colspan=3| Electorate/voter turnout
! 223,512
! 54.00
! {{decrease}} 3.39
!
!
!
!
|-
| colspan=10| Source: [https://www.wahlergebnis.graz.at/?report=ReportResult;district=Graz%20gesamt;party=%C3%96VP;minMax=Absteigend  Stadt Graz]
|}

==Culture==
During 2003 Graz held the title of "[[European Capital of Culture]]" and was one of the [[UNESCO]] "Cities of Design" in 2011.

===Museums===
[[File:Graz Kunsthaus vom Schlossberg 20061126.jpg|thumb|right|The Graz Museum of Contemporary Art (Kunsthaus)]]
[[File:Tramway graz14.jpg|thumb|right|Tramway Museum]]
[[File:07 Graz, Austria.jpg|thumb|right|View from the Castle Hill (Schlossberg) with the Museum of Contemporary Art (Kunsthaus) in the centre]]

The most important museums in Graz are:
* [[Schloss Eggenberg (Graz)|Eggenberg Palace (Schloss Eggenberg)]] with the Old Gallery (Alte Galerie) (paintings and sculptures from the Romanesque to the end of the Baroque period), Coin Collection, [[Lapidarium]] (Roman stonework collection), Archaeological Museum (featuring the [[Cult Wagon of Strettweg]]) a special exhibitions area and the 90,000 m<sup>2</sup> [[English garden|romantic landscape gardens]].
* History Museum (Museum für Geschichte): museum of Styrian cultural history from the Middle Ages to the present.
* New Gallery (Neue Galerie): visual arts from the 19th and 20th centuries.
* Natural History Museum: exhibition of botany, mineralogy and zoology.
* Graz City Museum (Stadtmuseum Graz)
* [[Grazer Kunsthaus|Museum of Contemporary Art (Kunsthaus)]]
* City Park Forum (Forum Stadtpark): museum of contemporary art.
* Camera Austria: museum of contemporary photography.
* [[Styrian Armoury|Armoury (Landeszeughaus)]]: medieval [[Armory (military)|armoury]] comprising 32,000 pieces of armour and weaponry, largest of its kind in the world.
* Folklore Museum (Volkskundemuseum): museum of [[folk culture]] and [[folklore]].
* Diocesan Museum (Diözesanmuseum): museum of the [[Roman Catholic Church]].
* Artists House (Künstlerhaus): exhibition hall of contemporary visual arts.
* Literature House (Literaturhaus): museum of contemporary [[German literature]].
* Museum of Perception (Museum der Wahrnehmung): museum of the senses, [[samadhi]] bath.
* Children's Museum Frida & Fred (Kindermuseum Frida & Fred): museum for children.
* [[Graz Tramway Museum|Tram Museum]]: 40 historic [[tram]]s, the oldest dating from 1873.
* Kriminalmuseum: museum of criminology.
* Aviation Museum (Luftfahrtmuseum): situated at Graz Airport.
* Hanns Schell Collection: [[Key (lock)|key]] and lock museum, largest of its kind in the world.
* Austrian Sculpture Park: seven hectares of contemporary sculpture.
* Botanical Garden of Graz: three architecturally interesting glass houses plus gardens.

Several of the aforementioned museums are part of the [[Universalmuseum Joanneum|Joanneum Universal Museum]] (Universalmuseum Joanneum), which has several additional museums under its umbrella.

===Architecture===
The city centre and the adjacent districts are characterized by the historic residential buildings and churches. In the outer districts buildings are predominantly of the architectural styles from the second half of the 20th century.

In 1965 the Graz School (''Grazer Schule'') was founded. Several buildings around the universities are of this style, e.g. the green houses by Volker Giencke and the ''RESOWI'' Centre by Günther Domenig.

Before Graz became European Capital of Culture in 2003, several new projects were realized, such as the ''Stadthalle'' - a multifunctional space for e.g. conventions and concerts -, the Children's Museum (''Kindermuseum''), the ''Helmut-List-Halle'', the Museum of Contemporary Art (''Kunsthaus'') and the Island in the Mur (''Murinsel'').

* '''Tallest buildings'''
[[File:Graz Herz Jesu 3.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Herz-Jesu-Kirche (Graz)|Jesus's Heart Church (Herz-Jesu-Kirche)]]]]
Buildings in Graz which are at least 50m tall:
{| class="wikitable"
!
! Name or Address
! Completion
! Usage
! Height (m)
! floors
|- align="center"
| 1.
| align="left" | [[Herz-Jesu-Kirche (Graz)|Jesus's Heart Church (Herz-Jesu-Kirche)]]
| 1887
| church
| 109
|
|- align="center"
| 2.
| align="left" | Elisabeth Building (Elisabeth Hochhaus)
| 1964
| residential
| 75
| 25
|- align="center"
| 3. 4.
| align="left" | Kärntner Straße 212, [[Liebenau (Graz)|Liebenauer]] Hauptstraße 309
| 1968 and 1955
| residential
| 69
| 21
|- align="center"
| 5.
| align="left" | Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche)
| 1240
| church
| 69
|
|- align="center"
| 6.
| align="left" | Alpha Tower
| 1960/2 floors added in 2015
| residential
| 67
| 21
|- align="center"
| 7.
| align="left" | [[Telekom Austria]] Tower
| 1960s
| office
| 65
| 15
|- align="center"
| 8.
| align="left" | [[Basilica]] Mariatrost
| 1724
| church
| 61
|- align="center"
| 9.
| align="left" | Styria Media Center
| 2014
| office
| 60
| 15
|- align="center"
| 10.
| align="left" | Science Tower
| 2017
| office
| 60
| 12 plus skygarden
|- align="center"
| 11. 12. 13. 14.
| align="left" | St. Peter Pfarrweg, Kindermanngasse, Hanuschgasse, Algersdorferstraße
| 1960/70s
| residential
| 55
| 17
|- align="center"
| 15. 16. 17. 18.
| align="left" |Vinzenz Muchitschstraße, Ungergasse, Kärntner Straße 216, Eggenberger Gürtel
| 1970s
| residential
| 52
| 16
|}

===Sports===
[[File:Merkur arena graz 2023.jpg|thumb|Merkur Arena Graz]]
[[SK Sturm Graz]] is the main football club of the city, with Four Austrian championships, 5 Austrian Cup wins and 4 participations in the Champions League (where they were 1st in the first group stage in 2000/01 and therefore got promoted to the round of 16 as the first Austrian club ever). [[Grazer AK]] also won an Austrian championship, but went into administration in 2007 and was excluded from the professional league system.

In ice hockey, [[ATSE Graz]] was the [[Austrian Hockey League]] champion in 1975 and 1978. [[EC Graz]] was runner-up in 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94. [[Graz 99ers]] has played in the first division since 2000.

[[UBSC Raiffeisen Graz]] plays in the [[Österreichische Basketball Bundesliga|Austrian Basketball League]].

[[Graz Giants]] play in the [[Austrian Football League]] (American Football).

The city bid for the [[2002 Winter Olympics]] in 1995, but lost the election to [[Salt Lake City]].

=== Styriarte ===
Graz hosts the annual festival of classical music [[Styriarte]], founded in 1985 to tie conductor [[Nikolaus Harnoncourt]] closer to his hometown. Events have been held at different venues in Graz and in the surrounding region.

=== Dialect ===
Referred to as ''Steirisch'' by locals, Graz belongs to the [[Austro-Bavarian]] region of dialects, more specifically a mix of [[Central Bavarian]] in the western part of [[Styria]] and [[Southern Bavarian]] in the eastern part.<ref>{{cite web |title=Steirische Sprache |url=https://www.steiermark.com/de/urlaub/kultur-in-stadt-und-land/volkskultur-brauchtum/steirische-sprache |website=Steiermark: Das offizielle Tourismusportal der Steiermark |publisher=Medieninhaber und Herausgeber sowie Dienstanbieter Steirische Tourismus GmbH |access-date=8 July 2020}}</ref> The Styrian subsidiary of Austrian Broadcasting Corporation [[ORF (broadcaster)|ORF]] launched an initiative in 2008 called ''Scho wieda Steirisch g'redt'' to highlight the numerous dialects of Graz and Styria in general and to cultivate the pride many Styrians hold for their local culture. Two reasons for a melding of these dialects with [[Standard German]]: the influence of television and radio bringing Standard German into the home and the industrialization causing the disappearance of the single farmer since the farming communities are seen as the true keepers of dialect speaking.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jontes |first1=Günther |title=Scho wieda Steirisch g'redt |url=http://static2.orf.at/vietnam2/files/stmkmagazin/200831/scho_wieda_steirisch_gredt_16997.pdf |website=ORF St Radio Steiermark |publisher=ORF Steiermark |access-date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818103713/http://static2.orf.at/vietnam2/files/stmkmagazin/200831/scho_wieda_steirisch_gredt_16997.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Transport ==
[[File:Tramway graz23.jpg|thumb|right|Tram at Jakomini square ([[Jakominiplatz]])]]
[[File:16-07-05-Flughafen-Graz-RR2 0347.jpg|thumb|[[Graz Airport]]]]
An extensive [[public transport]] network makes Graz an easy city to navigate without a car. The city has a comprehensive bus network, complementing the [[Trams in Graz|Graz tram network]], which has six lines. Four lines pass through the underground tram stop at the central train station (Hauptbahnhof) and on to the city centre before branching out. Furthermore, there are eight night-time bus routes, although these run only at weekends and on evenings preceding public holidays.

The [[Schlossbergbahn (Graz)|Castle Hill funicular (Schlossbergbahn)]], and the [[Castle Hill lift (Schlossberg lift)]], a vertical lift, link the city centre to the [[Schlossberg (Graz)|Castle Hill (Schlossberg)]].
[[File:Graz Aufnahmsgebäude Hauptbahnhof-4380.jpg|thumb|[[Graz Hauptbahnhof|Graz Central Railway Station]]]]
From the central train station ([[Graz Hauptbahnhof|Hauptbahnhof]]), regional trains link to most of Styria. Direct trains run to most major cities nearby including [[Vienna]], [[Salzburg]], [[Innsbruck]], [[Maribor]] and [[Ljubljana]] in [[Slovenia]], [[Zagreb]] in [[Croatia]], [[Budapest]] in [[Hungary]], [[Prague]] and [[Brno]] in the [[Czech Republic]], [[Zürich]] in [[Switzerland]], as well as [[Munich]], [[Stuttgart]], [[Heidelberg]], and [[Frankfurt]] in [[Germany]]. Trains for Vienna leave every hour. In recent years many railway stations within the city limits and in the suburbs have been rebuilt or modernised and are now part of the [[Styria S-Bahn]], a commuter train service connecting the city with its suburban area and towns nearby.

[[Graz Airport]] is located about {{cvt|10|km|0}} south of the city centre and is accessible by bus, railway, taxi and car. Direct destinations include Berlin, [[Düsseldorf]], Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Vienna and Zurich.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flughafen-graz.at/en/flug/flug-reiseinfo/destinationen.html |title=Flughafen Graz :: Destinations|access-date=21 August 2015|archive-date=7 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907231342/http://www.flughafen-graz.at/en/flug/flug-reiseinfo/destinationen.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2021 a two-line [[rapid transit|metro]] system was proposed for Graz,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/metros/two-line-automated-metro-proposed-for-graz/58606.article |title=Two-line automated metro proposed for Graz |website=Metro Report International |date=1 March 2021 |accessdate=18 April 2021}}</ref> which would make Graz the second Austrian city with a rapid transit system after Vienna.

==Health==
[[File:LKH Graz Hauptgebäude.jpg|thumb|LKH Graz]]
In Graz there are seven hospitals, several private hospitals and sanatoriums, as well as 44 pharmacies.

The ''University Hospital Graz'' (LKH-Universitätsklinikum Graz) is located in eastern Graz and has 1,556 beds and 7,190 employees. The ''Regional Hospital Graz II'' (LKH Graz II) has two sites in Graz. The western site (LKH Graz II Standort West) is located in [[Eggenberg (Graz)|Eggenberg]] and has 280 beds and about 500 employees, the southern site (LKH Graz II Standort Süd) specializes in neurology and psychiatry and is located in [[Straßgang]] with 880 beds and 1,100 employees. The ''AUVA Accident Hospital'' (Unfallkrankenhaus der AUVA) is in [[Eggenberg (Graz)|Eggenberg]] and has 180 beds and a total of 444 employees.

The Albert Schweitzer Clinic in the western part of the city is a geriatric hospital with 304 beds, the Hospital of St. John of God (Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder) has two sites in Graz, one in [[Lend (Graz)|Lend]] with 225 beds and one in [[Eggenberg (Graz)|Eggenberg]] with 260 beds. The Hospital of the Order of Saint Elizabeth (Krankenhaus der Elisabethinen) in [[Gries (Graz)|Gries]] has 182 beds.

There are several private clinics as well: the Privatklinik Kastanienhof, the Privatklinik Leech, the Privatklinik der Kreuzschwestern, the Sanatorium St. Leonhard, the Sanatorium Hansa and the Privatklinik Graz-Ragnitz.

[[Emergency medical services in Austria|EMS]] in Graz is provided solely by the [[Austrian Red Cross]]. Perpetually two emergency doctor's cars (''NEF – Notarzteinsatzfahrzeug''), two NAWs (''Notarztwagen'' – ambulances staffed with a physician in addition to regular personnel) and about 30 RTWs (''Rettungswagen'' – regular ambulances) are on standby. Furthermore, several non-emergency ambulances (''KTW – Krankentransportwagen'') and a [[Intensive care unit#Mobile intensive care unit|Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU)]] are operated by the [[Red Cross]] to transport non-emergency patients to and between hospitals. In addition to the Red Cross, the Labourers'-Samaritan-Alliance (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Österreichs), the Austrian organisation of the [[Order of Malta Ambulance Corps]] (Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria) and the Green Cross (''Grünes Kreuz'') operate ambulances (''KTW'') for non-emergency patient transport. In addition to the cars, there's also the C12 air ambulance helicopter stationed at Graz airport, staffed with an emergency physician in addition to regular personnel.

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Austria}}

===Twin towns and sister cities===
[[File:Graz Denkmal Staedtefreundschaft DSCN0584.JPG|thumb]]
Graz is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref name="Graz">{{cite web |url=https://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10036153/7771861/Staedtepartnerschaften.html |title=Partner cities - City of Graz |publisher=graz.at |access-date=21 August 2018}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=35em}}

* {{flagdeco|US}} [[Montclair, New Jersey|Montclair]], [[New Jersey]], United States, since 1950<ref name="Graz"/>
* {{flagdeco|UK}} [[Coventry]], England, United Kingdom, since 1957<ref name="Graz"/><ref name="Coventry twins">{{cite web|url=http://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6214/graz_austria/category/732/europe|title=Coventry's twin towns and cities - Graz, Austria|access-date=27 March 2017|work=Coventry City Council.|archive-date=28 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328020304/http://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/6214/graz_austria/category/732/europe|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Coventry twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/what-point-coventrys-twin-towns-3038605 |title=Coventry's twin towns |access-date=27 March 2017 |last=Griffin |first=Mary |date=2 August 2011 |work=Coventry Telegraph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230070041/http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/what-point-coventrys-twin-towns-3038605 |archive-date=30 December 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|NED}} [[Groningen (city)|Groningen]], Netherlands, since 1964<ref name="Graz"/><ref name="Groningen">{{cite web |url=http://www.groningen.nl/functies/pagfunctie.cfm?parameter=1285 |title=''Groningen – Partner Cities'' |publisher=2008 Gemeente Groningen, Kreupelstraat 1,9712 HW Groningen|access-date=8 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926211207/http://www.groningen.nl/functies/pagfunctie.cfm?parameter=1285|archive-date=26 September 2007 }}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|GER}} [[Darmstadt]], Germany, since 1968<ref name="Graz"/><ref name="Darmstadt twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.darmstadt.de/standort/staedtepartnerschaften-und-internationales/index.htm |title=Städtepartnerschaften und Internationales|access-date=26 July 2013 |work=Büro für Städtepartnerschaften und internationale Beziehungen |language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723212417/http://www.darmstadt.de/standort/staedtepartnerschaften-und-internationales/index.htm|archive-date=23 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|NOR}} [[Trondheim]], Norway, since 1968<ref name="Graz"/><ref name="Trondheim">{{in lang|no}}[http://www.trondheim.com/content.ap?thisId=93081934 Trondheims offisielle nettsted – Vennskapsbyer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927054554/http://www.trondheim.com/content.ap?thisId=93081934 |date=27 September 2011 }}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|CRO}} [[Pula]], Croatia, since 1972<ref name="Graz"/><ref name="Pula twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.pula.hr/hr/vodici/medunarodna-suradnja/o-odsjeku/medunarodna-suradnja/gradovi-pobratimi/ |title=Međunarodna suradnja Grada Pule|access-date=27 March 2017 |work=Grad Pula |language=hr, it}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|ITA}} [[Trieste]], Italy, since 1973<ref name="Graz"/>
* {{flagdeco|ROU}} [[Timișoara]], Romania, since 1982<ref name="Graz"/>
* {{flagdeco|SLO}} [[Maribor]], Slovenia, since 1987<ref name="Graz"/>
* {{flagdeco|HUN}} [[Pécs]], Hungary, since 1989<ref name="Graz"/>
* {{flagdeco|CRO}} [[Dubrovnik]], Croatia, since 1994<ref name="Graz"/>
* {{flagdeco|SVN}} [[Ljubljana]], Slovenia, since 2001<ref name="Ljubljana twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.ljubljana.si/en/about-ljubljana/twin_cities_association_-memberships/ |title=Twin cities and association memberships|access-date=27 March 2017 |work=Mestna občina Ljubljana (Ljubljana City)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611224540/http://www.ljubljana.si/en/about-ljubljana/twin_cities_association_-memberships/|archive-date=11 June 2016 }}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|RUS}} [[Saint Petersburg]], Russia, since 2001<ref name="Graz"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gov.spb.ru/helper/new_stat/inter/ |script-title=ru:Международные и межрегиональные связи | access-date=28 March 2017 |language=ru}}</ref> (On-Hold, since March 2022)<ref>{{cite web | title=Stadt Graz friert Partnerschaft mit St. Petersburg ein |url=https://grazer.at/de/hdjszOWn/offiziell-stadt-graz-friert-partnerschaft-mit-st/ | website=grazer.at | publisher=der Grazer | language=de | access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref>

{{div col end}}

;Other forms of cooperation and city friendship similar to the twin city programmes:
* {{flagdeco|SER}} [[Niš]], Serbia
* {{flagdeco|BIH}} [[Banja Luka]], Bosnia and Herzegovina

== Notable residents ==
The following are some past and present notable residents of Graz.

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

* [[Oktavia Aigner-Rollett]] (1877–1959), prominent physician
* [[Peter Handke]] (born 1942), [[Nobel Prize in Literature]]
* [[Johann Nestroy]] (1801–1862), playwright and actor
* [[Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand II]] (1578–1637), Holy Roman Emperor
* [[Anne of Austria, Queen of Poland|Anne of Austria]] (1573–1598), Queen of Poland and [[Sweden]]
* [[Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand III]] (1608-1657), Holy Roman Emperor
* [[Béla Babai]] (1914–1997), [[Romani Americans|Romani American]] musician
* [[Wladimir Köppen]] (1846-1940), geographer, meteorologist, climatologist and botanist
* [[Wolfgang Bauer (writer)|Wolfgang Bauer]] (1941–2005), Austrian writer
* [[Infanta Blanca of Spain]] (1868–1949), claimant to the throne of Spain
* [[Karl Böhm]] (1894–1981), Austrian conductor
* [[Ludwig Boltzmann]] (1844–1906), physicist, university professor
* [[Richard von Krafft-Ebing]] (1840–1902), psychiatrist
* [[Constance of Austria]] (1588–1631), Queen of [[Poland]]
* [[Ulrich Ellison]], singer-songwriter
* [[Manfred Erjautz]] (born 1966), artist
* [[Archduke John of Austria]] (1782–1859), field marshal, imperial regent and modernizer
* [[Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria]] (1863–1914), heir to the [[Austro-Hungarian]] throne.<ref>{{cite EB1922 |wstitle= Francis Ferdinand |volume = 31 |last=Pribram|first= Alfred Francis |author-link = Alfred Francis Pribram|short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Olaf Fjord]] (1897–1945), actor, film director and producer
* [[Princess Gina of Liechtenstein]] (1921–1989), [[List of princesses consort of Liechtenstein|Princess of Liechtenstein]] from 1943 to 1989
* [[Peter Rosegger]] (1843–1918), writer and poet
* [[Carl Julius Haidvogel]] (1891–1974), writer
* [[Gregor Hammerl]] (1942–2023), President of the [[Federal Council of Austria|Federal Council]]
* [[Nicolaus Harnoncourt]] (1929–2016), raised in Graz, conductor of classical works on period instruments
* [[Christian Herdtrich]] (1625–1684), Austrian Jesuit missionary to the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]].<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle= Christian Wolfgang Herdtrich |volume= 7 |last= Huonder |first= Anthony |author-link= |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Victor Franz Hess]] (1883–1964), [[Nobel Prize]]-winning physicist
* [[Hans Hollmann (director)|Hans Hollmann]] (1933–2022), theatre director and actor
* [[Johannes Kepler]] (1571–1630), German astronomer, astrologer, natural philosopher and mathematics teacher at a local seminary.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Kepler, Johann | volume= 15 |last1= Clerke |first1= Agnes Mary |author1-link= Agnes Mary Clerke | pages = 749&ndash;751 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Helmut Kollars]] (born 1968), writer and illustrator
* [[Otto Loewi]] (1873–1961), [[Nobel Prize]]-winning physiologist
* [[Archduchess Gregoria Maximiliana of Austria]] (1581–1597)
* [[Hans Michael Maitzen]] (born 1943), astronomer
* [[Marisa Mell]] (1939–1992), actress born and raised in Graz
* [[Franziska Meissner-Diemer]] (1841–1919), journalist and writer
* [[August Meyszner]] (1886–1947), SS officer executed for war crimes
* [[August Musger]] (1868–1929), invented slow motion cinema means
* [[Olga Neuwirth]] (born 1968), contemporary Austrian composer
* [[Lili Novy]] (1885–1958), [[Slovenia]]n lyric poet
* [[Marie Pachler]] (1794–1855), Austrian pianist
* [[Johann Puch]] (1862–1914), Slovene inventor and mechanic
* [[Adam Rainer]] (1899–1950), only documented person to have been both one of the shortest and one of tallest people.
* [[Anton Rintelen]] (1876–1946), cabinet minister and [[Nazi]] conspirator
* [[Eduard Roschmann]] (1908–1977), Nazi SS Riga ghetto commandant
* [[Josef Schleich]] (1902–1949), farmer, helped liberate Jews in WWII
* [[Hermann Schloffer]] (1868–1937), surgeon
* [[Andreas Schnider]] (born 1959), theologian, academic teacher, author, publisher, consultant and politician, (ÖVP)
* [[Erwin Schrödinger]] (1887–1961), [[List of Nobel laureates in Physics|Nobel Prize–winning physicist]] in [[Quantum field theory|quantum theory]], Chancellor of Graz University in 1936
* [[Werner Schwab]] (1958–1994), playwright and visual artist
* [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] (born 1947), former [[bodybuilding]] champion, actor and former governor of [[California]]; born and raised in farming village [[Thal, Austria|Thal]], {{convert|2|mi}} from Graz.
* [[Brit Stakston]] (born 1961), writer, public speaker and media strategist
* [[Friedrich St. Florian]] (born 1932), Austrian-American architect
* [[Robert Stolz]] (1880–1975), Austrian composer and conductor
* [[Celestina Ekel]] (1867–1935), Slovenian music teacher, musician, organist and composer who worked and died in Graz
* [[Nikola Tesla]] (1856–1943), Serbian-American inventor, who studied electrical engineering in Graz
* [[Hertha Töpper]] (1924–2020), opera and concert [[contralto]]
* [[Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg]] (1568–1634), Austrian statesman and early "prime minister" during the [[Thirty Years' War]].<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Eggenberg, Hans Ulrich von |volume= 9 |pages= 16-17 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach]] (1656–1723), architect of the [[Baroque architecture|Baroque period]].<ref>{{Cite NIE |wstitle= Fischer von Erlach, Johann Bernhard |volume= VII | page= 658 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Joseph von Hammer-Purgstall]] (1774–1856), Austrian orientalist, historian and diplomat.<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Hammer-Purgstall, Joseph, Freiherr von |volume= 12 |page= 898 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Ernestine von Kirchsberg]] (1857–1924), landscape painter
* [[Leopold von Sacher-Masoch]] (1836–1895), writer and journalist, studied in Graz; the term masochism is derived from his name
* [[Roman von Ungern-Sternberg]] (1886–1921), prominent figure in the Russian [[White movement]] and dictator of [[Mongolia]] in 1921
*[[Franz Voves]] (born 1953), Austrian politician (SPÖ), State governor of [[Styria]] for 10 years, ice hockey player
*[[Franz Wilczek]] (1869–1916), violinist
=== Sport ===
* [[Bernd Brückler]] (born 1981), professional ice hockey player
* [[Hans Dobida]] (1929–2025), Austrian former ice hockey player
* [[Elisabeth Eberl]] (born 1988), Olympic [[javelin throw]]er
* [[Michael Gspurning]] (born 1981), goalkeeper for FC Schalke 04
* [[Manfred Hoeberl]] (born 1964), powerlifter and strongman
* [[Helmut Marko]] (born 1943), former racing driver
* [[Emanuel Pogatetz]] (born 1983), footballer, played 446 games
* [[Jochen Rindt]] (1942–1970), first Austrian [[Formula One]] champion raised in Graz by his grandmother
* [[Gert Schnider]] (born 1979), [[Abalone (board game)|Abalone]] champion
* [[Markus Schopp]] (born 1974), former footballer, played 364 games
* [[Thomas Tebbich]] (born 1975), decathlete and pole vaulter
* [[Thomas Vanek]] (born 1984), [[Ice hockey]] player, raised in Graz
* [[Otto Wanz]] (1943–2017), former [[professional wrestler]] who held [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]]

{{div col end}}

==See also==
*{{portal-inline|Austria}}
*[[List of World Heritage Sites in Austria]]
*[[Kastner & Öhler]]
*[[Villach]] 

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}<!--added under references heading by script-assisted edit-->
*{{Cite web |year=2006 |url=http://www.rechnungshof.gv.at/fileadmin/downloads/Teilberichte/Steiermark/Steiermark_2006_02/Steiermark_2006_02_1.pdf |title=Graz: Stadtplanung und Stadtentwicklung (Rechnungshofbericht, 2006) in German|access-date = 8 April 2008|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408185603/http://www.rechnungshof.gv.at/fileadmin/downloads/Teilberichte/Steiermark/Steiermark_2006_02/Steiermark_2006_02_1.pdf|archive-date = 8 April 2008 }}

==Further reading==
{{See also|Timeline of Graz#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Graz}}

== External links ==

'''Official websites'''
{{Commons}}
{{wikivoyage}}
{{Americana poster}}
* [https://graz.at City website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120815073300/http://www.graz.at/cms/ziel/232882/DE/ Graz Citizen's Service]
* [https://www.graztourismus.at/en Graz Tourist Information]
* [http://kultur.graz.at/ KulturServerGraz Town's cultural portal]
* [http://www.verbundlinie.at/lang/en/ Public transport in Graz]
* [https://sworld.co.uk/01/1953/place/graz-old-town Graz old town – Secret World]
{{StatistikAustria|60101}}

'''History'''
* [http://www.hist-chron.com/eu/oe/EncJud_juden-in-Graz-ENGL.html Jews in Graz. Expelled 1439 – returned 1447 – expelled 1496 – returned 1783 – holocaust] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030254/http://www.hist-chron.com/eu/oe/EncJud_juden-in-Graz-ENGL.html |date=24 September 2015 }} (from Encyclopaedia Judaica 1971)

'''Further information'''
* {{Cite EB1911 |wstitle= Graz |volume = 12 |last= |first= |author-link= |pages=395-396 |short=1}}
* [http://www.graz.city-map.at/ Various Graz Information] Sorted by Categories. Choose from 5 languages.

{{Graz}}
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[[Category:Graz| ]]
[[Category:Austrian state capitals]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Styria]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Austria]]