Some Suggested Attractions to visit in Styria

A number of local attractions are already shown on the Summer Page and are contained in the websites on the Links Page, and there are also others shown in the leaflets in the Visitor Information Pack in the Chalet. Examples of local attractions in Styria are :

• Bad Gleichenberg – Primarily well known for its seven thermal springs. Also located here is the Styrassic Park, housing 70 life sized dinosaurs and many other attractions.
• Graz – Europe’s City of Culture in 2003 with significant churches, interesting museums, the Kuntshaus Art Gallery, the List Halle and the 28 metre high clock tower on the Schlossberg (Castle Hill).
• Mariazell – Site of Austria’s best known and most visited place of pilgrimage, dating back to 1157. The original roman basilica was rebuilt in gothic style in the 14th century and later renovated in baroque style. The high altar, the grace-chapel with wooden sculpture of the virgin Mary and the treasure chambers are the main attractions in the basilica. In Sept 2007 the Pope will be visiting Mariazell.
• Peggau-Semriach Lurgrotte – This underground grotto is Austria’s largest and most beautiful stalactite cave and takes about 3 hours to cross! Guided tours pass narrow tunnels and fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formations. The main attraction though is the Grosse Dam (Big Cathedral) which is 40 metres high. The cave has two entrances – one at Peggau and one at Semriach.
• Piber – This scenic town is the hometown of the famous white Lipizzaner horses. The federal stud offers a guided tour in which visitors can learn about these horses and about the stud and they can have a look at the baroque castle and its magnificent yard which was built in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Riegersburg – The imposing fortress Riegersburg rises on a volcanic rock above the town and is considered one of the best kept mediaeval fortresses in Europe. The magnificent interior rooms (knights hall, ball room) and the castle’s armoury are particularly worth seeing. Riegersburg also has Europe’s only museum about witch hunting!
• Elfenburg at Mautern – Wild animal park with deer, wolves, bears, reindeer , wild cats, bison, buffalo, birds of prey – with flying displays, being among some of the attractions. There is also a children’s zoo and a fun park with water attractions and summer tobogganing. In winter you can ski and toboggan here and there is a children’s ski park.
• Ramingstein Silver Mine – Located near Predlitz, silver has been extracted here since 1443, and the mine is one of the largest in the Alps. Frequent silver markets are held at Burg-Finstergrun, with local craftsmen and traditional displays, archery and musicians also featuring.
• Herberstein Castle and Wild Animal Park – The castle was originally built in the 12th Century and has been added to since that time. It was acquired by the Herberstein family in 1290 and the family are still in residence. The animal park was originally created in the 17th Century to allow the castle residents to hunt and was transformed into the current park in the 1960’s. The Park is divided into continents and animals appear in their native habitat. Some examples of the animals here are Deer, Lynx, Camels, Widebeest, Lemur, Zebra, Cheetah, Lions and Wallabies but there are many more. There are also historical gardens divided into colours – white green blue and yellow and finally Siegmunds garden shows how garden design has developed overthe centuries.