Styria - A historical outline

2011

Graz is a Unesco City of Design.

2008

Graz is the culinary capital and is thus one of the most enjoyable regions in Austria (an initiative of Agrarmarkt Austria and the Ministry of Life).

2004

Since the 1 May and the new member states of the EU, Styria moves (again) from the geographic outskirts into the centre of Europe.

2003

Graz is the only cultural capital of Europe.

1999

The old town of Graz is named a UNESCO World Heritage site.

1919

After the 1st World War, Styria loses 1/3 of its land area, the so-called Untersteiermark [Lower Styria] becomes part of the newly founded SHS state of Yugoslavia. Due to the disintegration of the Habsburg Empire, Styria, once the "Gate to the Southeast", is placed in a peripheral position.

1854

Construction of the southern railway line over the Semmering (the 1st high mountain railway in the world, Carl Ritter von Ghega). The railway section is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

19th century

Brisk construction in the country and in Graz (technical university, opera house, Karl-Franzens University, railway station, state hospital). Major scientists and artists settle. In the first half of the century, Archduke John of Austria set decisive and lasting impulses for the development of science, culture and economy in Styria.