Graz :)

Look mom and dad, I do more than drink beer in Austria!

My friend Courtney and I decided to get a little adventurous in Graz today - and of course we picked the only overcast day that we've had in weeks.

I have a list of touristy things to do in Graz that I am slowly checking off, and one of them was the "Doppelwendeltreppe" or Double Spiral Staircase.

Significance? ...
"one of the major Gothic staircases in Europe - A double-spiral staircase – two flights of staircases, running in opposite directions, join for some steps on each floor, separate again, join again. The architectural masterpiece of 1499 has often been interpreted as a symbol of eternity. Graz people call it the "stairs of reconciliation" because if you go separate ways, you will reunite."

The staircase is just through that archway

outside of the spiral staircase

the ONLY sign that tells you about this historic site - sad

the stairs

and since i am no photographer, this photo and the next are taken from the internet to give you a better view

We also checked out the Mausoleum and St. Catherine's Church which is right around the same area and the Spiral Staircase.

Significance:
- the final resting place of an emperor - in 1637 Ferdinand was laid to rest in a half-finished, "draughty" tom and the vault is dominated by an impressive sarcophagus of red marble. It is the final resting place of Ferdinand's mother, Maria of Bavaria. Just a plain tablet on the wall indicates the grave of Emperor Ferdinand. (http://www.graztourismus.at/cms/beitrag/10030738/2866136/)
- In 1614 Emperor Ferdinand II commissioned his Italian court painter and architect to erect a mausoleum and an adjacent St. Catherine's Church
- The oval dome above the tomb chapel was the first of its kind built outside Italy

outside of mausoleum

if only i could read this writing ..

this is the dome - again photo from the internet, This doesn't open until the beginning of April so i will go soon :)

inside Mausoleum - internet

the main entrance to the Mausoleum

preserved artwork on St. Catherine's

Graz is not in full Easter swing with little markets open every where! .. Check out my facebook page for more pictures from the days adventures :)

lovely austrian pub

Edegger-Tax Bakery - "confectionery from the imperial era"

Easter Festival in Hauptplatz!