Graz, << grahts >> (pop. 298,479), is the second largest city in Austria. Only Vienna is larger. Graz is the capital of the province of Styria and is an important cultural, educational, commercial, and manufacturing center for the region. The city lies in the valley of the Mur River in southeastern Austria.
Graz has many historic buildings. Castle ruins stand on the Schlossberg (castle hill), which was fortified in the 900’s. Graz cathedral was built in the 1400’s. Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II is buried in a large mausoleum (tomb) that was built next to the cathedral in the 1600’s.
Karl-Franzens University, founded in 1585, is the city’s oldest and largest university. Graz also has an opera house, a botanical garden, and several museums. Products made in Graz include automobiles and automotive products, electronics goods, iron and steel, and machinery.
People began settling in Graz in the 800’s. The city was an important political center for the Habsburg dynasty (series of rulers) from the late 1300’s until the 1600’s.
