Courtyards

The courtyards of Graz are among the lesser-known but impressive aspects of the old town. Behind baroque facades and narrow passages open arcade courtyards, green spaces, and quiet passages that have preserved a piece of urban history. Once they were places of trade, residence, or part of monastic complexes; today, many of them invite exploration.

Overall, Graz has several hundred courtyards, some of which are freely accessible. Their arcades provided light, air, and connection between the floors. In some courtyards, old wells or cisterns have been preserved, reminding us of the former water supply.

Among the best-known are the Landhaus courtyard with its architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance, the Rosenhof in Sporgasse with its medieval character, and the green-designed courtyard of the Altsteirische Schmankerlstube. The Café Fotter with its rose garden and the Buschenschank Hildebrand also show how historical courtyards in Graz continue to be used today.

Each courtyard tells its own story and reflects the building styles and functions that have developed over centuries. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage, they make visible how closely history and everyday life are connected in the old town.