Graz sits at the river Mur and is the capital of the Steiermark, formerly known as Styria, a state in Austria's southeast.

In the Iron Age this region was inhabited by Celtic tribes. Later the Romans took over and during the Migration Period Visigoths,Huns and Slavs conquered or just passed through the area.

Since 1180 Graz has been the capital of Styria and for many centuries was home to the Hapsburgs that lived in the castle on the Schlossberg that dominates the city. 

Graz hosts 6 universities with some 60.000 students that are catered for by scores of watering holes in the Old Town. Famous students and teachers were Tesla, Keppler, Boltzmann and cat-lover Schroedinger.

The Schlossberg provides excellent views over the city. Access is easy via the Schlossbergbahn. A historic monument on the  hill is the Uhrturm, a clock tower from 1560.

Another attraction is historic Schloss Eggenberg, just outside town where you can watch the peacocks in nicely maintained gardens.

We visited in May 2014.