Gemaltes Haus (Painted House), Graz

Gemaltes Haus (Painted House), Graz

The Painted House is first mentioned in 1360. In this house the Dukes of Styria would give their subjects land in fee and otherwise carry out their public business. The manager of the building was untaxed in return for his putting up the "Prince's chair."

In the year 1600 while a brother of Styrian prince and future emperor Ferdinand lived in the house, it was painted for the first time. The artist was Ferdinand's future court painter, Giovanni Pietro de Pomis. Giovanni would also be the architect of Ferdinand's mausoleum.

In 1742 the house passed to Franz von Lathurner. Franz was a moneychanger. Another thing he liked to change was the paint job by Giovanni. He engaged Vorauer artist Johann Mayer to paint new frescoes. Mayer was a student of Johann Cyriak Hackhofer.

Mayer's frescoes cover the whole facade, 723 square feet. Nothing is left of the frescoes of Giovanni Pietro de Pomis. Mayer's work, the gods and heroes of the ancient world, has faded.

The low part of the facade had Bacchus, Vulcan and Vesta. Gods of wine, crafts and fire, respectively. Above them are Apollo (light), Jupiter (Father of the gods), and Pluto (underworld). Then comes Mercury (business, travel and borders), Mars (war), Minerva (also war, and arts), and Aesculapius (medicine).

On the top row are the heroes of both Greek and Roman mythology. The ancient world had a lot of gods and heroes. They aren't as clear as they used to be. Look close.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Graz. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Gemaltes Haus (Painted House) on Map

Sight Name: Gemaltes Haus (Painted House)
Sight Location: Graz, Austria (See walking tours in Graz)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Graz, Austria

Create Your Own Walk in Graz

Create Your Own Walk in Graz

Creating your own self-guided walk in Graz is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Graz's Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Graz's Historical Buildings Walking Tour

One of the most impressive things about Graz is its architecture. Indeed, the atmospheric Medieval center of the city, the largest in Europe, abounds in architectural marvels – opulent historic buildings evoking the grandeur and glory of Austria’s Imperial past.

Influenced by the centuries-long presence of the Habsburgs and the cultural and artistic role played by the country's...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Graz Introduction Walking Tour

Graz Introduction Walking Tour

There were settlements in the Graz area as early as the end of the Copper Age. However, Graz, as Graz, did not truly emerge until the 12th century. The Babenberg dukes swapped hegemony over the area until Otakar III built the Hauptplatz, the main square of the city in 1160.

Otakar was one of the Babenberg dukes. Under Babenberg rule Graz developed into an important commercial center. By 1280...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles