Graz Museum Schlossberg

About the museum

The Stallbastei is the most impressive remnant of the Renaissance fortress that was built on the Graz Schlossberg from 1544 according to plans by the master builder Domenico dell'Allio. Its buildings and the underground casemates served for defence until 1784 and afterwards at times as a dungeon. From the 18th century, fire watchmen warned the city of fires from here with cannon shots; the bastion kept this task in the 19th century even after the fortress was razed in 1809.

From 1981 to 2011, the bastion housed the Garnisonsmuseum. From 2013, the Graz Museum developed a concept for a new Schlossberg museum; a bequest of one million euros from a Graz citizen and a municipal council resolution in 2018 made its realisation possible. The architecture competition was won by the Graz-based studio WG3, and the exhibition design is by BUERO41A.

The Graz Museum Schlossberg opened in September 2020. It is dedicated to the eventful history of the hill, which has shaped the Graz cityscape for centuries, and its significance for the city, but also turns the spotlight on the nature of the Schlossberg: a green landscape model shows the native flora, and the museum commemorates the northern bald ibis, a bird that once lived on the Schlossberg and is now extinct there. In the inner courtyard, the Wundergarten and interactive stations invite visitors to linger, and at the historic iron gate, riddle questions encourage close observation. In the underground casemate, a multimedia model leads through the tunnel system of more than six kilometres inside the hill; from the Kanonenhalle the view extends far over Graz. The whole site is accessible without barriers, and a lift serves the casemate. In 2021 the building received the Architecture Prize of the Province of Styria, followed in 2023 by a Special Commendation at the European Museum of the Year Award for its inclusive approach. After the redesign of the inner courtyard as "Wundergarten 2.0", the museum reopened in April 2026.

Highlights

• Panoramic view over Graz from the cannon hall, with an interactive time journey through historical city views
• Multimedia Schlossberg model in the casemate with the tunnel system of over 6 km
• Green landscape model of the Schlossberg's flora and a commemoration of the northern bald ibis
• Wundergarten in the inner courtyard with interactive stations and riddle questions at the historic iron gate
• European Museum of the Year Award 2023 – Special Commendation

Permanent exhibitions

• Graz-Blick – A viewing point in the cannon hall with a swiveling screen, on which historical city views of Graz can be traced year by year.
• Geschichts-Parcours – About two dozen stations in the former gunners' house link the buildings and monuments of the Schlossberg with their history, from fortress to excursion hill.
• Schlossberg-Story – Audiovisual show in the underground casemate around a model of the hill showing the Türkenbrunnen and the tunnel system of more than six kilometres inside it.

Founded

2020

Operated by

Stadtmuseum Graz GmbH (Stadt Graz)

Director

Sibylle Dienesch

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Graz Card, Steiermark Card, checkit.card, the Kulturpass "Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur", for members of the Friends of the Graz Museum, and for ICOM and AICA members. Ö1 Club members receive a 40% discount. 1+1 free with a KlimaTicket Steiermark Classic for Graz residents and for regular customers of Holding Graz. The audio guide is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

All areas are accessible without barriers: automatic sliding doors, a lift to the casemate, ramps to the Schlossberg model and to the viewing point. Induction loop at the ticket desk, tactile model of the grounds in front of the entrance and tactile panorama of the view of Graz. Inclusive tours in easy language and for blind, visually impaired, deaf and hard-of-hearing people by booking; tours in sign language on request. Assistance dogs are permitted. Barrier-free route only via the Schlossbergbahn; the path from the Schlossberg lift is steep.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

In the Wundergarten, children can discover and play with Graz's mythical creatures: the Panther, the Stone Dog, the Elephant and the Lion. For school classes there are tours, workshops and worksheets under "Junge Stadt". Admission is free up to age 19.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Lockers

Lockers at different heights.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil weddings, birthday parties, champagne receptions and celebrations in the Wundergarten (inner courtyard) with a view over Graz; a wheelchair-accessible event room for about 20 seated guests.

Plan your visit