Description of the attraction
The clock tower, 28 meters high, is considered one of the main attractions of Graz. The first mention of the tower dates back to 1265, however, the clock tower acquired its present appearance in 1560.
There was once a fortress on Mount Schlossberg, the ruins of which can be seen today. The fortress housed the residence of the emperors from the beginning of the 15th century. Repeatedly they tried to take the fortress by storm, however, only in 1809 Napoleon's troops blew it up. Only the clock tower remained intact.
Today, there are three bells in the tower: the clock bell, which is the oldest (1382), the bell that warns of fires, appeared in 1645. The third bell - the bell of sinners, first rang in 1450, calling for the death penalty. Of great interest is the old original dial, which at first had only one hand indicating the clock. The minute hand appeared much later, and, moreover, the short hand shows exactly the minutes, making it clear that they are as important as the hours of our life.
The upper part of the tower is surrounded by a wooden gallery, which previously served as an observation point for the fire brigade.
The tower, surrounded by a beautifully manicured park, is a favorite place for locals. Here they walk with children, make dates and meet friends. You can get to the tower by funicular, but you can climb yourself on a very steep staircase. The staircase starts right at the Clock Tower and goes down to Sporgasse Street to the souvenir shop.
By the way, there is a monument to the dog next to the clock tower. According to legend, it was the barking of a dog that saved the emperor's daughter from being kidnapped in 1481. The Hungarian king Matias Corvin, who had been denied marriage the day before, wanted to steal the girl secretly.
