Regions of Austria: Styria. What is interesting to see in Austrian Styria? Church of St. Barbara

The state of Styria in Austria is the second largest federal state in the country, covering an area of ​​16,392 sq. km and impressing with its diversity. The snowy slopes of the Alps are home to top-notch ski resorts, including one of the world's best resorts, Schladming. The fabulous landscapes of Styria are decorated with ancient castles and monasteries, popular balneological resorts are located near healing thermal springs, and in the picturesque valley of the Mur River there are the charming Styrian cities of Leoben, Liebnitz and the legendary capital of the region - Graz, whose historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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History and modernity

The land of Styria in Austria has more than a thousand years of history and rich traditions. In ancient times it was part of the Celtic kingdom of Noricum, the Roman Empire, the barbarian kingdom of Odoacer and the kingdom of the Ostrogoths, in the Middle Ages the region was inhabited by Slavic tribes and it was annexed by the Frankish empire of Charlemagne. In the 12th century, a large feudal estate, the Styrian Mark, was created here, named after the ancestral town of the house of Traungau Steyr, and in 1792 Styria became part of the Austrian Empire.

Today Styria is famous throughout the world for its variety of amazing landscapes and rich historical and cultural heritage. Here are the most beautiful capital of the earth - ancient Graz and the prestigious ski resort of Schladming, the beautiful thermal resorts of Bad Blumau and Loipersdorf, historical castles and cathedrals, the majestic mountains of Dachstein and the picturesque lakes of Salzkammergut. Styria is also famous for its excellent wines, healing pumpkin oil Kernol, Gosser beer, and is the birthplace of the Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger.

What to see, where to visit

The state of Styria in Austria attracts tourists with many interesting attractions. The whole world knows Graz - the capital of Styria and the second largest city in Austria. Graz's Old Town center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in 2003 Graz was declared European Capital of Culture. Among the most famous sights of the Styrian capital are the symbol of the city - the clock tower of the early 18th century and the majestic Schlossberg castle, overlooking Graz on the top of the mountain, the 16th-century Arsenal Museum, which houses about 32,000 artifacts, and the historic Hauptplatz square, a 16th-century Renaissance monument Landhaus and Graz Castle, built in the 15th century, the magnificent Eggenberg palace complex, protected by UNESCO World Heritage, as well as the early 17th century mausoleum - the tomb of Emperor Ferdinand II and the Cathedral of St. Egidio - a wonderful Gothic monument and cathedral of the diocese of Graz-Shekau.

The second largest city in Styria is ancient Leoben, located on the picturesque banks of the Mur River. This small town, dating back to the 10th century, offers many interesting attractions - the charming central square with the town hall, the Angel Fountain and the Holy Trinity Column, the Church of St. Francis Xavier and the Roman Catholic Church of St. Jacob, built in 1188. Of course, the most visited A tourist destination in Leoben is the Goss brewery, located on the territory of a former monastery of the same name from the 11th century, where they began brewing the world-famous brand of beer. Today the brewery houses a museum.

There are many ancient castles and monasteries in Styria. In the east of the country is the largest fortress in Austria, Riegersburg, built in the Baroque style. The majestic Herberstein Castle, built from the 13th to the 17th centuries, combined the styles of three eras - Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, and has a knights' hall, a hall of family portraits and an armory. In the city of Mariazell is the Basilica of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary - a magnificent architectural monument and a place of pilgrimage for Catholics, as the church houses a wooden figure of the Virgin Mary, which is called the “Great Mother of Austria”. In Neuberg, you can visit the former 14th-century Cistercian Catholic monastery, one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the country, and the 13th-century Renaissance castle of Kornberg hosts an annual pre-Christmas fair, attended by artisans from all over Austria.

Nature lovers will be enchanted by the amazing landscapes of Styria: the Salzkammergut region, glorified by artists and poets, with the marvelous lakes Grundlsee and Altausseersee, the picturesque Green Lake, located at the foot of the snow-capped mountains, and Stubenbergsee - one of the warmest lakes in the region.

Trails, slopes, lifts

The state of Styria in Austria is famous for its skiing traditions and careful handling of the slopes and lifts, which are highly valued by skiers who come to the main ski region of the land - Dachstein Tauern.

Dachstein Tauern consists of 9 ski areas, including 4 main ones, which form an area known as the “Four Mountains Swing”. It includes Schladming (Planai, 1894 m), Rohrmoos (Hochwurzen, 1850 m), Pichl (Reiteralm, 1860 m) and Haus/Ennstal (Kainbling, 2015 m). All areas are connected to each other by a network of trails and lifts.

The Schladming-Dachstein ski area offers a ski area of ​​1,283 km 2 with an elevation difference of 640-2,996 m, a total length of 232 km of pistes, including 85 km of blue, 125 km of red and 22 km of black pistes, 490 km of flat ski runs, as well as 98 lifts , 18 km of freeride trails, 7 toboggan runs and several snowboard fan parks. In addition, skiing on the Dachstein glacier is possible throughout the year. All resorts in the region have ski and snowboard schools, and there is also a single ski pass that allows you to ski on 156 km of slopes.

The main and most prestigious resort in Styria is Schladming, one of the ten best ski resorts in the world. In 1973, on the downhill track in Schladming, the famous Austrian skier Franz Klammer set a record for average downhill speed of 111 km/h, which has not yet been broken. The resort is the site of the World Alpine Ski Championships, which took place here in 1982 and 2013. By the way, for the last World Championship in Schladming, many tracks were reconstructed, new ski lifts were built, the artificial snowmaking system for the slopes was modernized, and a new finishing stadium, Ziel-Arena, was built at the foot of the sports tracks.

Entertainment and active recreation

The state of Styria in Austria offers excellent opportunities for an apres-ski holiday. In the cozy restaurants and cafes of the region you can taste traditional local dishes, for example, Steyrerkas cheese, and in the wine bars of Buschenschenken you can taste the excellent Styrian wines Welschriesling, Pinot Blanc or Chardonnay, for which the land is famous throughout the world.

Styria is no less famous for its thermal springs, where the first-class balneological resorts of Bad Blumau, Bad Waltersdorf and Loipersdorf are located.

In addition to a variety of tourist routes and opportunities for active recreation, Styria offers its guests a rich cultural program: folk festivals and fairs, concerts and exhibitions, all kinds of holidays - from colorful winter holidays and competitions at ski resorts to the New Year's ball and the festival of contemporary arts "Styrian Autumn" in Graz.

Family holiday

The land of Styria in Austria is a real fairy tale for children. For little skiers, the resorts have special lifts and slopes - some are even decorated with figures of different characters, there are ski schools and kindergartens for kids, there are playgrounds and entire amusement parks for the whole family, for example, the Gallic ski village in Hallsterberg or the magical Kalis Winterworld park in Ramsau. You can also go ice skating or horse-drawn sleigh rides, and take the whole family on exciting excursions to the many attractions of Styria.

How to get there

10 km from the capital of Styria - Graz, there is an airport that accepts international flights. 65 km from Styria, in the Slovenian city of Maribor, there is another international airport, from where the region’s resorts can be reached by train, bus or taxi. The ski resort of Schladming is an hour's drive from Salzburg and 1.5 hours from Graz.

Styria is one of the federal states in Austria. It ranks second in area in the country, and its administrative center is the city of Graz. Considering the large size of this territory, there are a lot of attractions here and you need to plan your route correctly to cover all the most interesting things.

One of the most famous attractions in Styria is Herberstein Castle. This is one of the most popular and beautiful Austrian castles, so tourists visit it at any time, regardless of the season. The castle was built over several centuries, so it incorporated several architectural styles at once. The construction of the castle began in the 12th century and initially it was a relatively small two-story building, but over time it grew to impressive sizes. The castle is located at an altitude of 422 meters above sea level. Most likely, because of this location it got its name, which translates as bitter stone. The castle acquired its modern appearance in the 17th century.

Today, there are two museums on the castle grounds: the Kunsthaus Museum, which displays works by contemporary artists, and the museum of the famous sculptor Bruno Gironcoli. The museum also displays items that once belonged to the Herberschein family.

The castle complex includes a zoo, built back in the 17th century and on the territory of which about 150 species of animals live. There is also a beautiful garden. A visit to this castle will be interesting not only for adults, but also for children, for whom various performances are regularly organized here. Various concert programs and festivals are often held in the park.

In the city of Bernbach there is an interesting glass museum, which is famous not only in Austria, but also far beyond the country’s borders. The museum has a large exhibition area and has a good shop where you can buy various glass products. The tradition of making glass products in these places dates back to the Middle Ages. The area of ​​the museum exhibition center is about two thousand square meters and its exhibits can pleasantly surprise even the most experienced travelers.

Several significant attractions are located in the main city of Styria - Graz. One of them is the cathedral, which is about 600 years old. At one time it was the imperial castle-court church. Yes, today this ancient building has been preserved in good condition. The appearance of the cathedral looks quite modest, this is explained by the fact that at one time the main decoration of the outside of the temple were all kinds of paintings. Some surviving frescoes date back to 1480.

The inside of the cathedral looks more interesting; many rare valuables are stored within its walls; one of the best organs in Europe is installed, where the best organists from different countries come to give performances (concerts are held once a week).

Graz is home to the Styrian Armory, which is considered one of the most interesting places in the entire city. Since the 17th century, it has been preserved almost in its original (untouched) form. The armory was intended to store weapons for the city army, the emergence of which was based on constant Turkish raids. This is a unique museum; it has no analogues in the world. In addition to various types of weapons, a large amount of military ammunition is stored within its walls.

The museum building occupies an entire block and the exhibits for it were not collected anywhere, but simply exhibited what had been accumulated over 300 years, from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Due to the fact that the museum has many identical exhibits, there are only 32,000 exhibits on display, but in fact there are more than 190 thousand.

Half of the entire territory of Styria is occupied by forests, a quarter by fields, alpine meadows and vineyards, while its northern part is mountainous Upper Styria. Rich deposits of iron ore are concentrated there and steel industry enterprises are located there. This federal state ranks first in the Austrian mining industry: 90% of the iron ore produced in the country comes from the mines of Styria. In the west, coal is mined. Magnesite products are exported to many countries.

The valleys of the Mur and Mürz rivers are home to centers of iron and steel and engineering industries. In Styria, the pulp and paper, electrical engineering, and transport engineering industries are highly developed. The capital of Styria, Graz, is an important center of economy, culture and education. The avant-garde art festival “Styrian Autumn” is very popular among local residents and numerous guests.

Required information
Administrative center: Graz
Area: 16,387 km2
Population: 1,184,720 inhabitants
Patron of the earth: St. Joseph Nahrvater
Memorial Day: March 19
Earth Colors: White and Green
Number of inhabitants in Graz: 238,000
Altitude: 365 m
Distance to Vienna: 191 km

A little history...
Since ancient times, the Romans settled almost the entire territory of Styria, laid roads, and founded numerous settlements. After the fall of the Roman state in 476. Slavic tribes began to penetrate here. In 788 the region came under the rule of Charlemagne (settlements of Frankish, Bovarian and Saxon nobility and peasants).

After the victory over Hungary near Augsburg in 955. To ensure the security of the eastern borders, a number of Marks were created under the control of the Traungauer family. In 1180 The brand "Stiria" (Steier) became a duchy and from 1192 under the Babenbergs became part of Austria. From 1278 to 1918, the land of Styria was ruled by the Habsburg dynasty.

In the 15th-16th centuries, many areas were empty due to general disasters: locust invasions, famine, plague epidemics, and Turkish invasions. Further economic progress was halted during the Napoleonic Wars, World War 1, when Styria had to cede important economic southern areas.

Graz...
Graz is located in the south of Austria, 50 km from the Austrian border. It is the second largest city in Austria. More than half of the city is occupied by green spaces, which led to the name "garden city", "city of greenery". Along with this, Graz is a large industrial and commercial city, a center of education and the seat of the government of the state of Styria.

The name "Graz" comes from the Slovenian "gradec", which means small fortress. The history of Graz begins about 900 years ago. The first mention in books dates back to 1150. However, it is assumed that there was a settlement on this site already in 800. In both the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Graz was the crown jewel of the Habsburg Empire. In Graz, the old part of the city (Altstadt) is well preserved, houses in the Renaissance style, cozy courtyards.

At that time (1115) the counts von Steyr chose Graz as their main city. In 1128 a house and a church appeared on Castle Hill. After in 1281. Graz received city status; the Styrian branch of the Habsburgs moved their residence there in 1379. In the 15th century, Emperor Frederick III contributed to the decoration of the residence - monasteries were built, the suburb on the other bank of the Mur was expanded, and fortifications were strengthened.

The Turks devastated the area around Graz in 1480 and 1532. Therefore, under King Ferdinand I, from 1543, the outdated defensive system of the city was rebuilt under the leadership of Italian architects. The city was also rebuilt in the Renaissance style.

Under Empress Maria Theresa, the favorable development of the city continued. In 1770, street lighting was introduced in the city, and the city was actively greened. After the Habsburg Empire was divided, after World War I, Graz also partially lost its significance as a trading city at the crossroads of trade routes.

Attractions
The main attraction of the city is the Schlosberg fortress - the former residence of emperors since the 15th century, or rather what remains of it. The defenders of the fortress fought to the end, not wanting to surrender to Napoleon (1809). As a result, the fortress was almost completely destroyed - only small fragments remained. The bell tower was built in 1588. and remained untouched. The tower houses the oldest bell in Styria, cast in 1382. and a medieval torture chamber.

The clock tower is a symbol of Graz; its image is on all postcards. The clock mechanism has been in operation since 1712. The clock hands are mixed up - the small one shows the minutes, and the big one shows the hours. Many young townspeople kiss here for the first time.
There is a beautiful park nearby where citizens and guests of the city love to walk. To climb to Schlosberg, it is better to use the funicular (since 1894), because its steepness reaches 60 degrees. But it’s better to go down on foot, along the stairs that start at the Clock Tower and lead out to Sporgasse Street. From the descent there is a magnificent view of the red roofs of houses and the historical part of the city.

On the southern edge of the city park is the city opera. It was built at the end of the 19th century by architects Helmer and Fellner.

Burg is a partially destroyed fortress; meetings of the Styrian government are now held here. The building was built by decision of Emperor Frederick III. In 1499, a few years after the completion of construction, Maximilian I ordered the installation of a spiral staircase inside the fortress.

The Styrian Parliament meets in the Landhaus building, designed by Domenico del Aglio. He worked in a style transitional from Renaissance to Baroque, a characteristic detail of which is a courtyard with an arcade gallery.
The nearby arsenal is of great interest. It was considered the largest weapons storage facility in Austria. Now there is a museum here, the richest collection of weapons is presented here: 30,000 samples.
...surroundings of Graz
Eggenberg is one of the largest and most luxurious castles in the country. Located on the western outskirts of the city. The castle was built by Ulrich von Eggenberg in 1625 according to Spanish models. The castle's frescoes were created as an architectural representation of the Universe, to further honor the Eggenberg family.
Every day a new view: 365 windows make this possible! Interior in Baroque and Rococo style. The castle is surrounded by a romantic park where peacocks walk under the trees.

Mariazel. For 850 years now, it has been one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Austria, an attractive center for thousands of pilgrims from all over Europe. The natural landscape around the city is a gift sent from heaven.
In 1157 here a priest appeared with a wooden figurine depicting the Virgin Mary. He built a shelter (Zelle) for his figurine. With the appearance of the Virgin Mary, miracles began that attract pilgrims. The current basilica was built in the 17th century by the architect Domenico Sciassia; Maria Theresa received her first communion here.

The Styrian winter sports resort is located in the Dachstein-Tauern mountain range. But you can also relax here in summer: cyclists and tourists who prefer an active holiday are guaranteed an eventful stay and breathtaking views.

Styria is the largest wine producer in the country. Here you can choose one of 8 wine routes, following which you will visit wine cellars: Schilcher Weinstrasse, Suedsteirische Weinstrasse, Rebenland Weinstrasse, etc.
You can also take the "apple path" which goes around Weiz and runs along the orchards of Styria. On your way you will see beautiful villages, artisans at work, churches and picnic areas. Puch is a real center for the production of apple juice, the “capital” of the route. In autumn, the 25 km long “apple tree path” turns into a paradise full of vitamins! Here you can try apple champagne, apple Sturm (wine), and apple juice. And in spring there are soft pink clouds of flowering trees everywhere.

One of the outstanding attractions of the city of Graz is the Mausoleum, which is a complex that includes the Church of St. Catherine and the tomb of the great Emperor Ferdinand II. It is located in the center of the historical part of the city, adjacent to the huge Cathedral, and the Burg Fortress is located nearby. The mausoleum consists of several buildings connected to each other.

On the site of the current temple there was an ancient religious building dating back to the mid-13th century and also dedicated to St. Catherine. The complex was erected by the Italian court sculptor and architect Giovanni Pietro Pomis at the beginning of the 17th century. The Italian influence is clearly visible in all the buildings - the carved, soft features of the facade and the beautiful oval domes over the tomb. Construction work was completed at the end of the 17th century under Leopold I.

On the roof of the temple there is an elegant monument to St. Catherine, on the sides of which there are figures of two angels. Directly in the tomb itself are the graves of Ferdinand II, his mother, his first wife and one of his sons. Every year this place attracts many tourists who want to enjoy this architectural landmark with their own eyes.

Town Hall

The “heart” of the Austrian city of Graz is the City Hall building, which is located on the central square of Haupplatz. The building was erected in 1803 on the site of the old dilapidated town hall. Compared to other local buildings, the Town Hall is considered a rather young building, made in the classicist style. Late in the evening and early in the morning, this structure is unusually austere and beautiful in the iridescent rays of the sun, but in the daytime it is significantly enlivened by numerous market stalls. Here you can buy national clothes, fruits and souvenirs at affordable prices. On the eve of the Christmas holidays, various Christmas fairs and bazaars are organized in front of the Town Hall.

This period begins in mid-November and ends one day before the celebration.

Currently, the Town Hall building in the city of Graz attracts many guests who want to enjoy the beautiful exterior and also get acquainted with the interior decoration. In addition, when you visit Haupplatz Square, you can admire the magnificent architectural structures of different eras. The positive emotions received from the excursion around the city of Graz will remain in your memory for many years.

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The Dome Cathedral

The Dome Cathedral is one of the most important architectural and historical monuments of the city of Graz, as well as the federal state of Styria. It was built in the classical Gothic style at the beginning of the 15th century according to the design of the architect Hans Nisenberger. The temple has ancient engraved inscriptions that indicate the stages of construction. In May 1443, Emperor Frederick III visited Graz to participate in the consecration of the monastery. Until 1574, the Dome Cathedral acted as the city's parish church. In 1615, a new beautiful sacristy was built here, which still captivates the views of tourists. In 1617-1667, four chapels were added to the temple, and in 1678 a crypt was erected under it, the central entrance to which was walled up in 1787.

In 1853-1854, unfortunately, the wonderful gallery that connected the cathedral with Graz Castle was destroyed. After the Catholic diocese of Graz-Schekaz was established, the monastery became its main cathedral. In 1962-1963, the interior of the Dome Cathedral was reconstructed according to the plans of the famous architect Karl Raimund Lorenz.

The Bernbach Glass Museum (Glasmuseum) is known far beyond the city. The museum has a large exhibition area, as well as a store where you can purchase amazing glass products. The museum tells how once upon a time in Styria, the federal state where the city of Bernbach is located, there was a glass factory in the Middle Ages. Therefore, the traditions of making glassware and souvenirs here go back far into the past. The ability to make amazing things from glass has always been famous in the world and has made it a very profitable enterprise, both in the Middle Ages and in modern times.

The exhibition center of the museum covers an area of ​​2000 square meters. All exhibited items are unique in their manufacture, colors and shapes. The theme of the exhibition changes every time. For example, once they exhibited products on the topic “Glass in modern life.” There were dishes and glass household items that are most often used by modern people. The store will select a product for you according to your taste and capabilities, but in any case, this memory in the form of a beautiful glass souvenir of the museum and the city will delight you for many years.

Kunsthaus

The Kunsthaus is the personification of modern architectural views. To some, the structure of the museum looks like an amoeba, however, this trend in architecture has long taken root under the guise of the English blob style. The main task of the English architects was the harmonious synthesis of an urban and even futuristic project with the history that has surrounded the baroque buildings of Graz from time immemorial.

It is also noteworthy that this project did not entail millions of investments, but turned out to be quite budget-friendly. The structure is based on reinforced concrete and decorated with plastic panels. The main emphasis is on installations that allow the museum to communicate with city residents and delight tourists. Using special effects, the museum notifies citizens about upcoming events planned within its walls.

At the moment, the Kunsthaus Museum does not have its own exhibitions, but it is becoming a venue for exhibitions and performances by contemporary creators.

Church of St. Barbara

The Church of St. Barbara - Hundertwasserkirche is located in the city of Bernbach in the federal state of Styria. It was built in the fifties and reconstructed in the seventies under the direction of the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The church is a unique phenomenon in the life of the city. The unusual architectural design and color of the church make it stand out from city buildings. A very joyful, life-affirming style is the basis of the architectural design of the church.

Next to the Church of St. Barbara there is a beautiful garden with flowers and fragrant herbs, which undoubtedly adorns the entire ensemble of the Hundertwasserkirche. The garden was created in 2007 and is constantly maintained with care and attention.

The church is open for inspection daily from 8.00 to 18.00.

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Eggenberg Palace

Eggenberg Palace is a stunning site of Renaissance architecture in Austria. The castle has long been a princely residence, which is emphasized by the architectural appearance of the ensemble. The palace was built by order of Prince Eggenberg, which is where it got its name. This happened in 1635.

Today Eggenberg is a unique architectural ensemble reminiscent of the glorious historical past of Austria. There is a rich collection of paintings here (about 600 exhibits), as well as magnificent interiors. The space of the castle is amazing: 52 rooms, 24 service areas and 365 windows. As you might guess, these numbers symbolize the astronomical year.

The palace houses an archaeological exhibition where you can see the unique Stretweg cult cart. It is also home to the Graz Art Museum, the oldest in Austria. You will be pleasantly surprised by the palace's furnishings, its historical past and art exhibitions. Come and plunge into the world of antiquity and fine art.

The most popular attractions in Styria with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Styria on our website.

Federal state
Styria
Steiermark
47°15′ N. w. 15°10′ E. d. HGIOL
A country
Adm. center	Graz
Head of the government	Franz Fauves
History and geography
Square	16,392 km² (2nd place)
Height · Maximum	2995 m
Timezone	+1
The largest city	Graz
Dr. big cities	Leoben
Population
Population	1,210,971 people ( 2013 (4th place)
Density	74 people/km²
Nationalities	Austrians
Confessions	Catholics
Official language	German
Digital IDs
ISO 3166-2 code	AT-6
Official site
Audio, photo and video on Wikimedia Commons

Styria is the second largest and fourth most populous federal state in Austria. It borders the provinces of Carinthia, Salzburg, Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Burgenland, and to the south the Republic of Slovenia. The inhabitants call themselves Styrians. The state's capital is Graz, the second most populous Austrian city.

The area of ​​the federal state of Styria is 16,391.93 km², the population is 1,210,971 people (2013), which is 14.7% of the population of Austria, of which 19.1% of the inhabitants of the federal state are in Graz. The religion of the vast majority of the population (81.3%) is Roman Catholic.

Geography

Territory area 16,392 km² (2nd place among the states of Austria). In the north, Styria borders with the lands of Upper and Lower Austria, in the east with Burgenland, in the south with Slovenia and Carinthia, and in the west with Salzburg. The region called Lower Styria, which was part of the Styrian Crown Land until 2000, is currently located in Slovenia.

Relief

Almost the entire area of ​​Styria is cut by mountain ranges. In northern Styria, north of the Enns River, are the eastern Alps mountain ranges of Dachstein (2996 m), Kammergebirge (2141 m), Grimming (2351 m), Totengebirge (Hochkasten, 2378 m), Pyrga (2244 m) and Greater Buchstein (2224 m). To the east of Enns stretch the northern spurs of the Limestone Alps: mountain ranges North Styrian Alps(with the massifs of the Reichenstein Mountains (2372 m), Gokhshvab (2278 m) and Vysoky Feich (1982 m)) and Lower Austrian Alps(Snowy Alps (1904 m), Rax Alps (2000 m)). South of the Ensa valley rises belonging to the central zone of the Eastern Alps Taurus Mountains(Hochgolling (2863 m), Predigtstuhl (2545 m), Greater Bösenstein (2449 m) and Saukogel (2418 m)). The area between the Mura and Drava rivers is occupied by Carinthian-Styrian Alps(Eizenguth (2441 m), Zirbikogel (2397 m), Ameringkogel (2184 m)). East of the Mura River rise Styrian Lower Alps(Gokhhanch (1738 m), Veksel (1738 m) and Shtulek (1783 m)), which smoothly descend to the east to the Raba valley.

The most significant plains and valleys of Styria are the Mura River Valley, where the region's largest cities - Graz, Leoben and Liebnitz - are located, as well as the Ensa Valley. There are many caves in Styria. The most famous is the Miksnikser-Kogelluken cave on the left bank of the Mura at an altitude of 500 m.

Rivers and lakes

In hydrographic terms, all of Styria belongs to the Danube River basin, into which all the main rivers of the country carry their waters. Styria's largest river is the Mur, a tributary of the Drava River. In the west of the country the Enns flows in a northern direction, and in the east the Raba. There are quite a few healing springs in Styria.

Climate

The climate of Styria, in a relatively small space, presents great diversity. Mountain elevations have a harsher, colder climate, while fertile valleys have a more moderate, mild and even warm climate. In general, the climatic conditions in Styria are very favorable for farming.

Story

General Map

Administrative division

The territory of Styria consists of one state (Graz) and 12 districts:

Policy

Economy

The Styrian economy is undergoing a period of reorientation from industrial production to the service sector. Over the past few years, the country has seen a decline in population because of this. On the other hand, Styria had the highest economic growth rate among all Austrian states - 3.8%, mainly due to the rapid development of Graz. Export is a key income item in the Styrian budget. First of all, automobiles and their components, rolled metal and iron blanks, stationery, electrical and electronic products are exported. According to data for 2008, 95 thousand workers were employed in the production of land products. Compared to the previous period, there is a decrease in the number of employed by 2.9%, which, however, is insignificant against the backdrop of the overall decline in employment observed in the world at this time. At the same time, the number of service sector workers has increased significantly. The main structural problems affected the high-quality steel production sector of the old industrial region of Upper Styria, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy in Leoben-Donawitz (rail and wire production), Kapfenberg and Mürzzuschlag (high-quality rolled steel), Judenburg (sheet and alloy steel), Bruck an Moure (wire), Kinderberg and Krieglach (pipes), Mitterndorf and Graz (electrical steel products). Mechanical engineering is mainly concentrated in Mur- and Mürztal, in the suburban area of ​​Graz and Voitsberg. Leading centers of the electrical and electronics industry are located in Graz, Weiz, Unterpremstätten, Leoben, Spielberg and Fering. The pulp and paper industry, cardboard production is concentrated in Gratkorn, Fronleiten, Bruck an der Mur, Niklasdorf, Pels and Rosegg; the glass industry is historically located in Köflach and Bärnbach; quarrying and ceramics industry - in Retznai and Peggau (cement), in Gleinstetten (bricks), Frauenthal (porcelain catalysts), Gleisdorf, Weissenbach and Bad Aussee (gypsum factories), as well as Graz. The Styrian food industry is traditionally strong, with main centers in and around Graz, Steinach, Leoben-Göss, Feldbach, Gleizdorf, Steinz and Hartberg; Truck production is located in Graz. The chemical industry is concentrated in Werndorf, Lannach and Graz, as well as in East and West Styria. The woodworking industry is traditionally most widely represented in the forest-rich federal state of Austria - Styria. The most important centers are primarily Leoben, Anger, Froleiten, Ubelbach, Geishorn, the Obdach region, Mürztal, in addition to the eastern and western regions of the federal state. The main textile industry factories are located in Graz, Hartberg, Neubau, Feldbach, Weiskirchen, Bad Mitterndorf and Zellweg. The textile industry is concentrated in Graz and Hartberg, and especially in the east of the province and Upper Styria. The federal state's participation in the Austrian mining industry was 21.7% (gross value) in 2008. Iron ore production in the Styrian Erzberg region is estimated at approximately 1.1 million tons. In Styria there are 3 plants for processing gypsum and anhydrite raw materials, as well as a graphite production plant in Kaysersberg near Leoben.

Talc processing centers (in 2008 - approximately 127,000 tons of finished products) are concentrated in Rabenwald and Kleinfeistritz. One of the most significant mineral raw materials subject to further processing is magnesite, which is mined in Breitenau and Oberdorf in Laming (in 2008 - approximately 403,000 tons of crude magnesite). There is also magnesite production and limestone mining in Breitenau, Waitisch, Trieben, Oberdorf, Laming and Leoben. Salt mining in Altaussee continues to be of great importance for the Styrian economy.

The largest union of industrialists in the land is the Automotive Cluster of Styria (“ACstyria”) - a voluntary association of more than 180 Styrian enterprises that are engaged in the production and supply of automotive components and assemblies.

The coat of arms of Styria, the modern version of which was approved in the city, is a silver panther with red horns and claws in a green field, spitting fire from its mouth. The heraldic shield is crowned with the so-called “Styrian Cap” - the crown of the medieval dukes of Styria.

The figure of a panther first appeared in the city on the seal of the Styrian Margrave Otakar III. At that time it was a black panther on a white shield field, which repeated the coat of arms of the Dukes of Carinthia (Carantania) from the Eppenstein family, whose descendants were the Styrian margraves. Images of the panther, probably symbolizing Jesus Christ, who rebelled against evil and spread his word to the world, became widespread in the ancient Roman province of Noricum, and then were probably adopted by the princes of Carantania. When Styria was united with Austria, the Austrian rulers of the Babenberg dynasty used the Styrian panther along with the coat of arms of the Duchy of Austria. However, since the same image was used by the Dukes of Carinthia, the Holy Roman Emperor in the city forbade the Babenbergs to use this emblem, giving preference to the more ancient Duchy of Carinthia. As a result, the coat of arms of Styria was changed: the black panther on a white field was replaced by a silver one on green. This symbol has been preserved as the Styrian emblem to the present day.

And it was kept in (1157) with a treasury, a chapel with a silver altar (1727) and a miraculous statue of the 13th century, .