Oct 30: Schlossberg Outing

Today was absolutely beautiful – sunny and cool – so we decided to get out in the afternoon and visit the Schlossberg, the green hill in the middle of the city where the oldest part of Graz is located. I say green hill, but technically “berg” means mountain…and it’s not a grassy hill, it’s actually rocky but covered in trees. But seen from Gösting castle viewpoint, it looks pretty tiny…;-)

We rode our bikes to the city centre, and then walked up the stairs cut into the rock. On the way to the top, there are “balconies” where you can look out on the city. It was so beautiful in the light of the setting sun. And there are still flowers blooming! Most of the gardens have been winterized, but there was a rose bush with quite a few white roses remaining.

At the top of the Schlossberg are the clock tower, the remains of the castle for which the hill is named (“Schlossberg” is literally “castle mountain”), and the bell tower (we can see the bell tower from our apartment window). The clock tower dates back to the 13^th century, but the castle is no longer standing. It was unconquerable until Napoleon destroyed it in 1809, but the burghers of Graz were able to ransom the clock tower to prevent it from also being demolished. Now there is a restaurant at the top, where visitors can enjoy the view of Graz over dinner. My buddy K told me that many couples go there for wedding anniversaries.  

What is left of the fortress was covered in red ivy – it seemed we picked the perfect month to visit the Schlossberg! (Just wait till spring, when all the flowers come out…then I’ll be doubly enthusiastic. ;-) As we climbed up to the top of the fortress walls, we heard a recorder playing. It was beautiful. Bach, Mozart, and variations on Greensleeves. I was surprised that the recorder player could be playing so long, because it was getting pretty chilly at the top of the fortress. Just before we headed back down to our bikes, we took a look out towards the northwest, and guess what? We could see our apartment! J

The view from the street.

Looking away from the Schlossberg towards our bikes.

The stairs going up.

The view from one of the "balconies"!

Tiny and a companion (see it on her hood?) see the city.

The clock tower. The grape vines above are unforunately very ready for winter.

On the stairs.

One of the gardens.

Tiny and I.

Roses!

Red ivy on the fortress wall.

Guess what? :-)