EWSN 2016

Graz, the second largest city in Austria, is situated south-east of the Alps and enjoys an almost mediterranean climate and lifestyle. The location in a cultural borderland close to Slovenia, Hungary, and Italy is reflected in Graz' exceptional townscape. The medieval old town is one of the largest and best-preserved in central Europe and was named a UNESCO world heritage site. Its magnificent buildings bear witness to over 850 years of architecture in the city, such as the Landhaus, also home to the Styrian Armoury and its 30,000 weapons and suits of armour, the cathedral and the mausoleum, Schloss Eggenberg and the Grazer Burg with its double-spiral staircase. These ancient edifices merge in unique harmony with state-of-the-art works by internationally renowned architects such as for example the Kunsthaus Graz, Joanneumsviertel, MUMUTH or the greenhouses in the Botanical Gardens.

The rich offerings of Graz to its visitors are reflected by a number of awards: Graz was the "Europe Capital of Culture 2003", is a member of the "UNESCO City of Design" network, and was named the Austrian "Capital of Culinary Delights". Graz is also a young and lively city with more than 50.000 students enrolled into one of the six universities.

Graz is embedded into beautiful and diverse landscapes, with the wine growing region known as "Styrian Tuskany" in the south, a region rich of hot springs and spas in the east, and the Alps in the north and west.

Facts and Figures about Graz

• Residents (main domicile 01/09/2014) - 271.998
• Universities - 6 universities | 2 polytechnics
• Students in Graz - over 50,000
• Total area - 127.5 km² (of which 50 % green area)
• Sea level - 353 m
• Geographical location- 47°05' degrees northern latitude, 15°26' eastern longitude
• Museums - 34

[Graz Tourismus 2015]