Sporgasse (Spur Street), Graz (must see)

Known as the “noble mile” of Graz, Spur Street is one of the city’s oldest and most picturesque streets, linking the Main Square with the foot of Schlossberg Hill. In fact, the street is older than Graz itself. Its origins reach back to Roman times, when it formed part of the Strata Hungarica, an important trade route connecting the Mur Valley with the Roman provincial capital. The street’s name comes from the old German word spor, meaning “spur,” after the spur makers and armorers who lived and worked here during the 14th century.

Today, Spur Street is a lively pedestrian shopping street lined with historic buildings representing centuries of architectural styles. At its lower end, near the Main Square, stands the Luegg House, a richly stuccoed building dating from the 15th and 16th centuries with a striking Baroque façade. Opposite is the Art Nouveau House, recognizable by its floral façade from 1900, although its core dates back to the 16th century. Nearby is the former Inn to the Roman Emperor, a 15th-century building rebuilt in 1755 and distinguished by its elegant Baroque and Rococo decoration.

Further along the street are several notable landmarks, including the Staircase Church, the oldest parish church in Graz, first mentioned in 1343, and the House of the Teutonic Knights, whose arcaded inner courtyard recalls the city’s medieval past. At the upper end of the street stands Saurau Palace, built in 1566 and famous for the dramatic statue of a sword-wielding Turk projecting from its façade. Another historic building is the Golden Pate Inn, dating from the 17th century and known for its round bay window; Queen Elizabeth II dined there during her visit to Graz in 1967.

Despite its long history, Spur Street remains a thriving commercial street, filled with boutiques, cafés, bakeries, jewelry stores, fashion shops, and specialty retailers, continuing a trading tradition that has lasted for nearly two millennia.