Inspired from my cave adventure yesterday, I met my friends Andrea and Herbert early morning walk through the Raabklamm (Raab River Gorge), from limestone mountains, which is more than 700 caves, including the famous cat hole and keep going surrounded Grass cave, two caves open to the public and the main attractions of the area Weiz.
Once again we drove through the rolling hills of the mountains Goettel, Haselbach, Dürntal Leska and to our car near a parkEntry point of the throat of Raab. Andrea told me a couple of Nordic walking sticks, I wanted to try, is the first Nordic walking, also known as "pole walking" or called "Fitness Walking" a sport that is walking with modified ski poles. Originally popular in Finland and Scandinavia, Nordic Walking is very popular throughout Europe, even if not yet taken hold in North America.
I was a bit 'skeptical about the concept, butOnce I tried walking, I noticed that walking uphill and downhill were both much simpler, as the poles provide additional support and balance. And arm movements constantly burns calories up to 40% more than walking alone, and facilitates the movement faster, even in the plains. The benefit of Nordic walking is that part of its own weight at the poles, which reduces the pressure is distributed on your back and knee and hip.
Now, convinced of the needbenefited from pole to walk, we began our descent into the valley on a first Raab forest softly, then very steep. The gorge is the longest gorge Raab in Austria and is divided into "Big Raabklamm" (large Raab Gorge) with a length of about 10 km, and the "Little Raabklamm" (George Raab small, about 7 km in length). We were the only direct Raabklamm Grande, the wildest of the two-way, vertical limestone rocks, wooden bridges, suspension bridges,Walking on the banks of the river and parts of the route, which veer away from the water and bring to a section of elevated track. I had previously researched the Small Raabklamm last Saturday with my sister-in-law Anneliese.
It remained the same Raabklamm is very natural and undeveloped and is home to a diverse group of animals such as foxes, badgers and wild sheep, a species of wild sheep, which is also called "goat antelopes". Amphibians such as fireSalamanders and a diverse selection of birds of prey have Raabklamm designation as protected areas "Natura 2000" area, at European level of protected areas has contributed. Plant life along the steep limestone cliffs and remnants of ancient pine forests and a variety of alpine plants.
We have covered only part of the entire Big Raabklamm and occasionally walked along the river, and other times we left the river at the foot of the canyon. My friendHerbert uses a few suspension bridges in order to demonstrate the laws of physics and began to shake the reinvention, while Andrea and I went over. Fortunately, suspension bridges are very robust and all roads are well maintained and stairs. After an hour and a half of walking we came to the dam that is part of the local hydro-power generation. This area of Austria was electrified in 1800, particularly on the initiative of the local electricityPioneer Franz Pichler.To electricity from hydropower today about two-thirds of all electricity in my home town of Weiz in Austria and offers one of the centers of the first uses of hydroelectric power generation.
After the visit, he produced some very old looking for hydroelectric equipment we hiked back up to local road and went back to my car, which had previously parked at the starting point. Andrea and Herbert had to leave, and I plan to continue my trip to Graz, the provincial capitalCapital. But first I had to feed my appetite, and I was only a minute away from a popular local restaurant, with its Austrian specialties were sure to hit the point. Gasthaus Reisinger is one of the restaurants located near the Raabklamm. In fact, the concept of the Austrian "house" a good deal is more rustic and down to earth than the North American "restaurant." A guest house (literally translated as "guest") are usually solid serve traditional Austrian cuisine, it is oftenhave a terrace in the fresh air as the food is very popular in Austria, pensions, and many also offer bed and breakfast.
This is indeed the case of a guest house Reisinger, offering not only Austrian cuisine and a terrace, but also as a bed and breakfast, especially for visitors from places like Vienna and other cities in several parts of Austria and Germany. I admire sat on a long menu and chose two local specialties: a"Fritattensuppe" (strips of soup), an element that I always several times, I when I get home, and a food "Mulbratlbrot" - a piece of rye bread Austrian, covered with a thin layer of butter and thin slices of a special invitation to cut of smoked pork, garnished with horseradish.
Rye bread with a variety of cured meats and smoked meat is covered with a typical in-between meals in Austria, and is also a snack for hikers and visitors to the "tavern" (a restaurantThey serve rustic local owned and operated by a local wine). On this day the sun seemed perfect down, and I enjoyed the quiet and peaceful hills of Eastern Styria. Once again, I realized that the area I grew up in a neck of the woods was really nice. The restaurant owner, Mr. Reisinger, brought me my food, and we started chatting a little 'that are actually a local who had emigrated to Canada for over 20 years. He on the other sideused to work full time in maintenance at a local wood processing plant, which began a few years ago, when his old parents who need full-time care. Since then he has managed his hospitality to full-time foundation with his wife and children, a typical Austrian family-based business solutions.
The food was delicious and prepared for the collection of ice cream for dessert, I was perfect for my next destination: Graz, the capital of Styria and the second largest cityAustria. A few minutes from the restaurant I stopped my car to have a look back to entertain these gentle hills, one of my favorite areas, as I grew, and with a couple of cows who were relaxing in a large pasture.
Much of the livestock sector in Austria is still based on free-range methods, and adds an important contribution to the economy of the country. About 80,000 cattle farms own about 2.1 million cattle, of which about 800,000 dairy cows. Only 5.5% of Austrian cattle morethan 100 animals, and small size of farms to ensure a close link between the farmer and his / her animals. These cows were obviously enjoying their carefree lifestyle and their full ability to roam the hilly grasslands.
I continued my journey along 25 miles of rolling country roads in major cities in Styria away. With a population of about 250,000 is the second largest city of Graz in Austria. Although there is an important regional and industry, is not as good Grazknown as small cities like Salzburg and Innsbruck. Because of its architectural heritage, perfectly manicured, Graz was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and became the European Capital of Culture in 2003. His name is the Slovenian name "Gradec", which literally means "little fortress" derives.
The eastern entrance of the town is a suburb named Maria Trost, crowned by the great pilgrimage church of Maria Trost. I stayed at the top of the hill Purberg,parked my car and went to a great restaurant, the front of the church. The basilica Maria Trost (Trost Mary) was built in 1714-1724 in baroque style.
The ceiling frescoes in the church are particularly noteworthy. Two massive towers 61 m high dome and even the church in the eastern part of the structure and can be seen from afar. Which is outside the church by a staircase steps called Angelus. Until now, the Basilica ofMaria Trost is the second most important pilgrimage church (in Mariazell) in the Austrian province of Styria.
I continued my journey to the center of Graz and parked my car in the garage next to the Opera of Graz - hard to find in more than 20 € is not just a cheap way to see the city, but parking at affordable prices in city of Graz My first stop was the Opera House, a neo-Baroque, which opened in 1899 and damaged in an airstrike in the worldSecond World War. A few steps farther west, I reached Mr. Lane, the main shopping street in the city of Graz, dozens of high-end retailers and restaurants with outdoor terraces framed. One of the Grazer tram continues along the entire length of this highway.
It is the west side of Mr. Lane, there are two main attractions: the State Armory (Armory), a museum of weapons with more than 32,000 artifacts, including harnesses, helmets, armor, rifles and pistols, as well as the country house, home ofGovernment of Styria. One of the most beautiful Renaissance palace structures in Central Europe was in the first half of the 16 th century, designed by the famous architect Domenico Pupil built. The three levels of arcades is a real jewel, and the southern end of the square, visitors to the historic country house restaurant, wine cellar, attractive courtyard, a terrace for relaxation.
On the other side of Mr. Lane, the "Painted House" - alsoas "Duke" (Duke Painted House or seal), a painted house, whose baroque frescoes were created in 1742 by Johann Mayer and the show's mythology, greek-roman. A short walk north from there I reached the "Graz's main square" or central square Graz '. This space substantially complete triangle is painted on both sides of five and six story framed homes located in a variety of intense colors of the Baroque, such as salmon, ocher, brick, and many have detailedFaçade ornaments.
The late magnificent 19-historicist-Century palace of Graz City Hall - The south side of the square is taken from "Town Hall". Directly in front of it is the Erzherzog Johann Brunnen (Erzherzog-Johann-wells), which is adjacent to many fast food restaurants and retail, selling typical Austrian sausages, fried potatoes, flowers and magazines, and is surrounded by roasted chestnuts in the autumn. The north-east of the main square with a view of Graz "Points of reference: the "Clock Tower" (Clock Tower), Castle Hill, overlooking the city.
I continued my way north through the pedestrian zone along the historic street bag and went into a restaurant truly historic: the "cancer Keller" (cellar Crawfish) has a restaurant here in 1538 and his yard was full of fans culinary. Across the street is the famous Hotel Erzherzog Johann, who is also a restaurant since 1852. A few steps farther north Iwent in another historic building, the courtyard was a metal sculpture that featured all kinds of soccer balls decorated amazing American.
Meters is the so-called Castle Hill area, a plaza with several restaurants and historic town houses, framed at Schloss Berg scale functions. I on the other side of the road and head south along the river Mur, one of the newest attractions in Graz, the "Mur Island" (Mur Island) was built in 2003, when Graz was the EuropeanCapital of Culture. The New York architect Vito Acconci has created a project for an artificial island, which connects the eastern and western sides of the Mur and commemorates a clam. The interior of the island is an amphitheater, a restaurant and a playground for children.
Now I need to explore the height of the city's most important: the Schlossberg (literally "Castle Hill"). I did this to be the Schlossberg funicular railway, which is part of the Graz public transportThe original steam-cog was inaugurated in November 1894 and operated until 1960 after an extensive renovation and remodeling of the steep rails, the cable car began running in 1961 until it closed its doors in February 2004.
The third generation of this line was launched in early 2004 and will cost € 2.5 million. The new generation of vehicles is more spacious and have fully glazed roofs and windows that offer views of theCity as you climb up the mountain. It takes a little 'more than two minutes from the station to 123 m in height to the mountain station and at a price of 1.70 €, is an inexpensive and interesting to get to the famous hill in Graz "go.
I came out on top on the terrace of a restaurant that offers amazing views of Graz and the surrounding mountains. A few steps, I saw the clock tower ("Belltower"), a historic building from 1588 houses a bell that weighs4200 kg and is known as Liesl. Schlossberg are used for a medieval castle of 1500 (hence the name "Castle Hill"), which was destroyed by order of Napoleon in 1809 the function. Only the bell tower and famous symbol of Graz, the clock tower of the fortress were allowed to remain. The residents had a substantial ransom to keep French troops, to pay their milestone.
Walking to the south of the bell I had the Stallbastei ("Bastion Stable"), aRocca, who has started 20 meters high and 6 feet thick walls functions, whose construction in 1544. Today there are more guns, and to decorate the bastion of the open front of the building itself is a beautiful view over the city. Just below is the bastion of "good turkish" (Turkish fine), a 94-m deep wells, water taps in the groundwater level in the river Mur. His intention was to provide water even during a long siege.
The clock tower is knownfar and wide as the symbol of the city of Graz is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The core of the tower is assumed to come from the 13 Century and was mentioned in historical documents in 1265. Its present appearance dates back to 1560. Four large dials adorn is to observe the four sides of the tower and the interesting thing is that the hour hand is smaller than the minute hand.
Originally the tower was only characterized by a very big hand, minute and hour, that have been installedthen had to be made smaller so that people would be able to distinguish from each other. Fortunately, since the ransom paid in 1809, the tower has survived and we still can see today, while the rest of the city fortifications were razed to the ground. The tower was used as a fire alarm bell, as the "Bell of the poor sinner," which was played during performances, and as the bell announcing the final hours for hospitality businesses.
Just below the clock tower is a smallGarden with flowers, a splendid view over the city and its main square, surrounded. I started my journey to make the castle hill along the coil, such as paths in the park and stopped at the entrance of the Castle Mountain Tunnel (Tunnel Schlossberg), part of the tunnel, which is built into the mountain and used as air raid shelters during the air raids of World War II. It is currently possible on the base of the mountain through the tunnel. I arrived at the base of theKarmeliterplatz Square. One of the buildings on the north side of the adjacent Sporgasse also has a huge yard and would like more time had to explore the hidden treasures of secret courtyards of Graz. "
I turned left onto a street called Hofgasse and stopped in a very particular building: the tax-Edegger bakery, a so-called real bakery, the oldest institute in Graz in 1569. It differs magnificent carved portal in 1896 from the surroundingHouses with stucco and at the end of 1800, the bakery is the official supplier of the ruling royal families Austria.
My journey continued to the Square of Liberty ("Freedom Square"), the position of Graz "is a theater across the street from the theater is the Dome of Graz, a cathedral from 1438, the black plague, war and locusts. The south side of the late-Gothic church is decorated with a painting of the three hostages. Austrian imperial family coat of arms andStyria and Portugal have historical aristocratic connections.
Next to the cathedral, the mausoleum of the Austrian emperor Franz Ferdinand is one of the most important Mannerist and Baroque art in Austria soon. Developed in the late 1600 is the last home of Franz Ferdinand and a host of other Habsburg rulers.
I continued my way down the street and turned into citizens of Santa Clara Abraham a small side street until I came toGlockenspielplatz ("Chime Square"), built in an appropriate way for the carillon in 1905, the crowd of onlookers watch enchanted three times a day from 11, 3 and 6:00 clock called. A couple dressed in traditional clothes of wood of Styria, and the male with a glass of wine got up to dance to the ancient melodies of 24 bells.
The whole area is part of the Bermuda Triangle (the "Bermuda Triangle"), the most popular entertainment area of Graz, is centered around the space and meals Prokopigasse Färberplatz. Dozens of hospitalityThe companies, most with outdoor patio to attract citizens and tourists to the culinary and entertainment options to offer Graz
Through small steps I've landed back on the main square and took another small lane, full of bars, restaurants and small stores behind the Church of the Franciscans (Franciscan Church). From the front of the church is a perfect view of the Mur des "art house" "Museum of Modern Art in Graz,was completed in 2003 and resembles a spaceship rounded. The entire city of Graz is full of bars and restaurants and all places and the streets are full of seduction "beer gardens" (terraces), sitting, relax and enjoy some hearty Austrian food and drinks.
I had enjoyed my exploration of Graz, and went home to relax with my brother and sister-in-law and a day full of discoveries reflect. It would be so much to see in Graz,But I have some goals for the next visit would be leaving. After a nice pizza dinner at a local restaurant in Weiz, I went to bed early because tomorrow we are doing a great excursion: a trip to the mountains of Slovenia and Italy!
| Price : $99.98 | Post Date : Sep 17, 2011 15:06:47
