Burg & Double Spiral Staircase

Separation and reconciliation. The architecture of an official residence can certainly hold surprises. The castle in Graz is the seat of the provincial government and a true gem. Having undergone structural changes over centuries, it features interesting elements from Gothic, Renaissance, and Biedermeier.

Particularly fascinating is the double spiral staircase, which initially appears to be an optical illusion. The “Reconciliation Staircase” consists of two winding stairs moving in opposite directions, merging briefly on each floor before separating and reuniting.

Opening hours:
daily 07:30 - 20:00

The history of the castle and the double spiral staircase

The centuries have changed much about the residence of the Habsburgs in Graz, built starting in 1438, which is now the official seat of the governor of Styria. Wings were added, others destroyed. Yet there are still numerous impressive testimonies of the past today. From Biedermeier to Renaissance and back to Gothic. The famous double spiral staircase dates from this period. And these inscriptions – AEIOU.

Emperor Frederick III.
AEIOU was inscribed by Emperor Frederick III. on his property and on all buildings he had constructed. Historians still puzzle over the meaning of this sequence of vowels. However, it aids in architectural research. Thus, the inscription AEIOU can also be found on some facades of the Graz Castle. Frederick decided in 1438, as Duke of Styria, to build a residence in Graz. At the same time, he constructed the court and today’s cathedral dedicated to St. Aegidius, even connecting it architecturally to his - today no longer existing - residential wing in the castle.

Emperor Maximilian I.
Frederick’s son, Emperor Maximilian I., continued to build on the Graz Castle. He left one of the most significant Gothic staircases in Europe for posterity here. A double spiral staircase - two opposing staircases that merge for a few steps on each floor, separate again, and then connect once more... The architectural masterpiece created in 1499 is often interpreted as a symbol of eternity. The people of Graz call the staircase the "Reconciliation Staircase." Separate paths lead back together.

Archduke Charles II.
From 1564, Archduke Charles II. resided in the Graz Castle. From here, he ruled over Inner Austria, a territorial complex that extended to Istria, Trieste, and Gorizia. Charles' court and his wife Maria of Bavaria, the promotion of art, and active construction meant a period of flourishing for Graz. The castle was also expanded. Besides the Charles Wing, the registry wing was built with arcades and sgraffito decorations in the style of Northern Italian Renaissance. Since 1959, several busts on a lawn in front of the building commemorate notable Styrians. Among them are the Baroque composer Johann Josef Fux and the architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, as well as inventors Viktor Kaplan (turbine) and August Musger (slow motion), poets, and scholars. The so-called Honorary Gallery could still be expanded by many more heads...

Did you know? The Habsburgs always referred to their residences as "Hofburg" (Imperial Palace). Since there was already a castle in Graz, it was simply renamed "Schloss" (Castle). Thus, the Castle Hill received its name.