The 28-meter-high Uhrturm is famous for having hour and minute hands that are swapped from traditional clocks; the long hand indicates the hour.
The 16th-century 'Liesl' bell tower houses the city's largest bell, which weighs over 4,600 kilograms.
The fortress on Schlossberg successfully withstood a siege by Napoleon’s army, which is why it is one of the few sites in the region that remained unconquered.
Following the Napoleonic destruction, the remaining structures were sold to the city in 1839 and converted into public parklands.
During the Second World War, over six kilometers of tunnels were excavated into the hill to protect the population from air raids.
The 'Kriegssteig' paths were constructed by Russian prisoners of war during the First World War.
Schlossberg is a forested public park located on a 473-meter hill rising directly above Graz's historic center. The hill features the iconic Uhrturm (Clock Tower), a remnant of the former fortress fortifications. Extensive defensive systems, including bastions and casemates, were dismantled following the Peace of Schönbrunn in 1809, leaving only the clock tower and the Bell Tower (Liesl) intact. The site is accessible via a funicular, a glass elevator, or a series of walking paths known as the Kriegssteig. Visitors can explore a network of tunnels originally carved during World War II that now house a fairy-tale train ride. The hill serves as a protected landscape area, offering panoramic views of the city's red-tiled roofs. It serves as a multifunctional recreational space with several restaurants, cafes, and open-air performance venues.
The viewing platform near the Uhrturm providing an unobstructed vista of the Graz cathedral and the Mur River.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate the steep, occasionally uneven cobblestone paths if choosing to walk up rather than taking the funicular.
Carry a light jacket as temperatures can be noticeably cooler at the hilltop compared to the city center, especially in the shaded wooded areas.
Check the performance schedule at the Kasematten stage, as concerts and theater events can restrict access to certain central areas of the hill.
Do not attempt to walk up the hill in high heels or flimsy sandals; the incline is significant and the paths are steep.
Public park rules apply; keep noise levels moderate, dispose of waste in designated bins, and stay on marked paths to protect the vegetation.
