Graz is the home of a great number of beautiful churches, cathedrals, and other religious buildings. The churches of Graz combine many different architectural styles, including Neorenaissance, Gothic, and Baroque, and are of great interest to students and lovers of European architecture. Take this tour to explore the beautiful and historic churches and synagogues of Graz.
1) Heilandskirche
Heilandskirche is a splendid Protestant church, located in Kaiser Josef Platz in the St. Leonhard district. The church was built in 1853 by architect Franz Zehengruber and was renovated by Werner Hollomey in 1992, when it received a new look, including beautifully ornamented windows, portable altar, and pulpit. The Helilandskirche congregation is the second largest congregation in Austria.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Marion Schneider & Christoph Aistleitner
2) Herz Jesu Kirche
The Herz-Jesu-Kirche (Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) is the largest church in Graz. It was designed by architect Georg Hauberrisser and constructed between 1881 and 1887. The church was designed in Neogothic style, with a large, high nave and under-church. The tower is 109.6 meters tall, making it the third highest church tower in Austria. Of special note are the stained glass windows, which are among the few extant examples in Austria of Neogothic stained glass.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Marion Schneider & Christoph Aistleitner
Sight description based on wikipedia
3) Münzgrabenkirche
The Münzgrabenkirche, also called Fatimakirche zum Unbefleckten Herz Marias, is a Catholic parish church in Graz. The church is named after the famous Portuguese shrine of Fátima. The present church was built on the site of the 17th century St. Anne's church, which was destroyed by bombing during World War II. Münzgrabenkirche was designed by architect George Lippert and features a beautiful nave, choir, and side belfry.
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4) St. Josef Kirche
St. Josef Kirche is a splendid parish church. It was built in the early 1900s in the Florentine Renaissance style, and was designed by Hans Pascher. Full of history, the church features two remarkable statues of St. Josef and a beautiful high altar.
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5) Graz Synagogue
Graz Synagogue is a beautiful synagogue, situated in David Herzog Platz. The original synagogue was built in 1892 and belonged to the Jewish community with its 2500 members. It was destroyed in 1938 and all the Jews of Graz were deported to Vienna. The site of the destroyed synagogue remained empty for many years, with just a lawn and a memorial stone. In 1989, architects Jörg und Ingrid Mayr designed the new synagogue, which was presented to the Jewish community by the city council of Graz in 2000 as a gesture of reconciliation. The Synagogue has twelve pillars that represent twelve tribes of Israel.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Marion Schneider & Christoph Aistleitner
6) St. Andrä Kirche
St. Andrä Kirche, located in Kernstockgasse in the Gries district, is dedicated to St. Andreas. The original church was constructed between 1616 and 1627, according to the plans of architect Archangelo Carlone. In the 18th century, the church was reconstructed in Baroque style. The present facade in Neorenaissance style was added in 1876.
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7) Bürgerspitalkirche
The Bürgerspitalkirche (Hospital Church), situated in Lend district of Graz, is a Roman Catholic church. The church was constructed according to the plans of Joseph Carlone in 1498. The Bürgerspitalkirche was built in late Gothic style. The interior of the church is predominantly Baroque, with a high Baroque altar and a tabernacle in Rococo style.
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8) Barmherzigenkirche
The Barmherzigenkirche, situated in Lend district in Annenstraße, between Südtiroler Platz and Roseggerhausis is also a Roman Catholic church. The church was designed by the famous Graz architect Johann Stengg, who also renovated the monastery church in Rein. The architecture and the interior design are Baroque. A special feature of the church is the tower facade, which is of great artistic and historical significance.
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9) Kreuzkirche
Kreuzkirche (Church of the Cross), situated in Mühlgasse, is an evangelical church that is also a popular music venue. The church was built by architect Otto Kuhlmann between 1912 and 1914. The church has a
nave with buttresses, an open porch, and a large tower, which formerly had an onion dome (destroyed in World War II). Particularly interesting are the interior decorations with angels and splendid paintings, unusual in an evangelical church.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Marion Schneider & Christoph Aistleitner