Graz

The ice nativity scene (German Eiskrippe) is an ice sculpture exhibited annually in the Landhaus courtyard in Graz, Austria, during Advent time. The project of a nativity scene made of glaze ice has been a highlight in the town's Advent scene since 1996 and receives international media attention.

The Styrian Armoury (German: Landeszeughaus), in the Austrian city of Graz, is the world's largest historic armoury and attracts visitors from all over the world. It holds approximately 32,000 pieces of weaponry, tools, suits of armour for battle and ones for parades.Between the 15th century and the 18th century, Styria was on the front line of almost continuous conflict with the Ottoman Empire and with rebels in Hungary. In order to defend itself it needed troops and these troops needed equipment. The Styrian Armoury results from the resulting need to store large quantities of armour and weapons, and was built from 1642 - 1645 by a Tyrolean architect called Antonio Solar.After about 100 years in use, Austrian empress Maria Theresia wanted to close down the armoury, as part of her centralisation of the defence of Austria. Nevertheless, Styria petitioned for the ongoing existence of the armoury for both practical and sentimental reasons. Their petition was accepted and the Armoury was left intact, but largely decommissioned.During World War II, the entire contents were moved to safety in three castles in remote parts of Styria, and no losses were recorded. After the end of the war, the objects were brought back into the undamaged original building. The armoury is situated in Graz's Inner City, a few steps from Hauptplatz at Herrengasse Nr. 16. The armoury is open six days a week, closed Mondays, throughout the year. In November, it can only be visited through guided tours.

The Franciscan Church (German: Franziskanerkirche) and Franciscan Monastery (German: Franziskanerkloster) are a church and associated monastery in the centre of the city of Graz, Austria. The monastery was founded by the Franciscan order, who still own it, and is first mentioned in 1239.In the church, a high but narrow 14th-century chancel contrasts with the comparatively low and wide nave. The chancel was gutted by a bomb in World War II, and subsequently rebuilt with a new contemporary interior. The stained glass windows bathe the church in light, whilst the chancel is dominated by a grey cast iron crucifix that seems to hover. The organ was installed by the Potsdam based Schuke company in 2004. The original Gothic cloisters of the monastery enclose a monastery garden, and are open to the public. The walls of the cloister are lined with the names, professions and life data of the distinguished burghers and noblemen who were buried in this place between the 15th and the 18th centuries. On the first floor of the monastery, with windows looking into the chancel of the church, is the oratory, where the friars meet for their holy offices.The high tower, one of the more prominent Graz landmarks, is unusual for a Franciscan establishment. It owes its existence to the church's strategic location next to the city walls, and was built as a fortified tower by the city authorities in the 17th century.

The Steiermärkische Bank und Sparkassen AG (mostly called Steiermärkische Sparkasse for short) was founded in 1825 as Vereinssparkasse (Steyermärkische Spar-Casse) and is thus the oldest financial institution in Styria. Business operations began on 15 May 1825 at the first business premises at Landhaus, Schmiedgasse No. 9. The actual founder of the Steiermärkische Sparkasse was the Emperor's personal representative and Governor in Styria: Franz von Hartig. Since 1823 he had been the Imperial and Royal Count of Styria, Governor of Styria and thus head of the Imperial and Royal Styrian Gubernium, the country's highest political authority. In addition to his political responsibilities, he also was in a role inspired him to found a Sparkasse in Graz. Since 1823 he had been a member of the Association of the First Austrian Spar-Casse with direct insight into the beginnings of the Sparkassen system in Austria. As early as 1824 he had decided to found an institute of this kind in Styria as well.

The Universalmuseum Joanneum (German: [univɛʁˌzaːlmuzˈeʊm joʔaˈneːʊm]) is a multidisciplinary museum with buildings in several locations in the province of Styria, Austria. It has galleries and collections in many subject areas including archaeology, geology, paleontology, mineralogy, botany, zoology, history, art and folk culture. It is the oldest museum in Austria as well as the largest universal museum in central Europe with over 4.5 million objects in 13 departments and 12 locations in the Styrian cities of Graz, Stainz, Trautenfels, and Wagna (Flavia Solva). To reflect this status and its growth over the last two centuries, as well as to present a more recognizable image internationally, the Landesmuseum Joanneum was officially renamed to Universalmuseum Joanneum on 10 September 2009.

The Fairytale Express Graz is a 2 km (1.2 mi) long 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) gauge grotto railway in the tunnel of the Schloßberg (castle hill) in Graz. It starts in the tunnel at the lower level of the Schloßberg lift, which is accessible from Schloßbergplatz.

Graz Cathedral (German: Grazer Dom), also called St. Giles' Cathedral (German: Dom St. Ägidius), is the cathedral church in the Austrian city of Graz, dedicated to Saint Giles. It is the seat of the bishop of the Steiermark diocese from 1786, called the Diocese of Graz-Seckau. The church was built as church of the Court (hofkirche) in 1438-62 by Friederick III in the Gothic architecture and later (1577-1773) officiated by the Jesuits that made some alterations in Baroque style. Nearby is Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II.

The Diocese of Graz-Seckau (Latin: Dioecesis Seccoviensis, German: Diözese Graz-Seckau) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church comprising the Austrian state of Styria. It is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Salzburg.

The Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II in Graz was constructed beginning in 1614 under the patronage of Archduke Ferdinand II of Habsburg, who later became Holy Roman Emperor. It was intended to serve as a dynastic burial site and as a symbolic monument associated with the Catholic Counter Reformation in Inner Austria. During Ferdinand II’s reign, the Habsburg monarchy pursued policies that strengthened Catholic influence following the territorial and religious advances made by Protestantism in the region. In this context, the mausoleum was conceived as both a family crypt and a representation of religious and dynastic authority. According to scholarly research, Ferdinand II decided in 1614 to establish a burial site in Graz that would reflect both ecclesiastical and dynastic significance. He entrusted the planning and construction to his Italian court artist, Giovanni Pietro de Pomis. The project involved architects and sculptors over several decades and included elaborate Baroque decoration. The completed structure has been described by scholars as a "triumphal monument of Catholicism" and a "symbol of the Counter Reformation" in Inner Austria, reflecting its historical and religious significance during that period.

The Eiserne Haus (Iron House) is a building in the Lend district of Graz, Austria. It was built in 1848, and is unusual in having a cast iron frame. It is now part of Kunsthaus Graz, a cultural centre.

The Bankhaus Krentschker & Co. AG is an Austrian private bank based in Graz.