Graz Museum Schlossberg

About the museum

The Stallbastei is the most impressive remnant of the Renaissance fortress built on the Graz Schlossberg from 1544 onward, based on plans by the master builder Domenico dell'Allio. Its structures and underground casemates served for defense until 1784, after which they were at times used as a dungeon. From the 18th century onward, fire watchmen warned the city of blazes with cannon shots from here; the bastion kept this task even after the fortress was dismantled in 1809, into the 19th century.

From 1981 to 2011, the Garrison Museum was housed in the bastion. For a new Schlossberg museum, the Graz Museum developed a concept from 2013; a bequest of one million euros from a Graz citizen and a city council resolution in 2018 made its realization possible. The architecture competition was won by the Graz studio WG3, and the exhibition design comes from BUERO41A.

In September 2020, the Graz Museum Schlossberg opened. It tells the story of the hill from castle through fortress to recreation spot, and from the cannon hall offers a broad view over Graz. An elevator makes the casemate accessible for the first time. In 2021, the building received the Architecture Prize of the State of Styria, and in 2023 the inclusive approach earned a Special Commendation at the European Museum of the Year Award. After the redesign of the inner courtyard as the "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-Story" with a transparent model of the hill in the casemate
• History trail past the buildings and monuments of the Schlossberg
• Wundergarten with Graz's mythical creatures for children
• 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 casemate about a transparent model of the hill, with the Türkenbrunnen (Turkish Well) and the tunnel system.

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: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

All areas are accessible: automatic sliding doors, an elevator to the casemate, and ramps to the Schlossberg model and the viewing point. Induction loop at the ticket desk, a tactile model of the grounds in front of the entrance, and a tactile panorama of the view of Graz. Inclusive tours in easy language and for blind, visually impaired, deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors are available by booking. The accessible route is only via the Schlossberg funicular; 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