Last Full Day in Graz

I can't believe it- I already leave Graz tomorrow afternoon!! I have fallen in love with this city. Everywhere you turn is another gorgeous building, another cozy cafe, another inviting cobblestone alley that leads to more adventures. If I could move Brett and my family and friends here, I would do it in a heartbeat!!

That being said, let me share with you some more of my love for this enchanting city. After I grabbed breakfast today (and of course another delicious chai latte), I decided it was time to conquer the hill leading up to the clock tower. Today just further confirmed what I already knew to be true- I am really out of shape!! Hahah. Thank you metabolism, for your help over the past 24 years! :) Anywho, let's just say I still passed the people in front of me that were at least 65 years old, so all hope is not lost.

Thankfully, the journey was worth it. The clock tower was beautiful and majestic, and the basically 360degree city view was nothing short of mesmerizing.

I decided to head down to the gardens to get a better picture of the clock tower and I'd say the picture really does give justice to what it looks like in person.

The clock tower is one of the oldest landmarks in Graz. It is mentioned as early as the year 1265!! Talk about some history!!! After 1560 the wooden gallery was added to the clock. This clock houses three bells, including a fire alarm bell which was put in place in 1645.

Almost as amazing as the tower, were the gardens right below it. There were flowers upon flowers, and cozy wooden benches which I sat on for at least 20 minutes, enjoying the gardens and taking in the city views.

I could have stayed up here all day, but figured it was time to make the decent down the hill. I came up one side, and decided to go down another. The steps and bricks were beautiful, so of course, I had to take pictures.

Once at the bottom of the hill, I crossed the street and decided to venture over the river. As I crossed the bridge, I found the Murinsel- which is a floating cafe in the shape of a seashell. It was designed by an artist in New York, and also holds an amphitheater and a playground.

 Across the river was Mariahilferkirche, a very nice church with double towers. I also went in and explored the courtyard of the church. So pretty!!

Just down the street was a building I had heard a lot about called Kunsthaus Graz, or known by the locals as the "Friendly Alien". It is a museum, and a very uniquely shaped building. I went inside but decided not to see the exhibits. The first picture below is one I took outside- I pulled the second picture from the internet because you really have to see it from above to understand how bizarre this building is! I think it looks like a human organ. Haha!!

I crossed back over a different bridge and was pleasantly surprised to see the bridge love locks. I had seen this for the first time in Prague, and have since learned that these exist all over the world. Couples write their names or initials on a lock, attach it to the bridge, and throw the key in the river, symbolizing everlasting or eternal love. It is terribly romantic. I think there may be one on Vancouver Island- take notes Brett- we're going someday!! :) I have read that many cities in the world have removed or spoke of removing these locks as they are an eyesore, but I think the complete opposite, I think they are wonderful!!

 After admiring the locks I was in search of a shopping center I had heard about. I had a map with me and feel like I walked in circles around this place, so I gave up and decided it was time for a nap anyway!! When I woke up, I received a call from my dad
in Iceland and talked to him for a bit, put a bandaid on my sore feet, and headed back out! Thankfully, Renee had stopped by the flat, so she gave me better directions on how to get to the shopping center.

This shopping center, called Franziskaneriche & Kloster, is a 6 story high building, and each level is for a specific thing (women, men, children, accessories, etc). The inside was beautiful!! I took this picture on the 4th floor looking down. I made my way to the top floor, which is a cafe, and went out onto the roofdeck to see the view- which was of course, beautiful.

I made my way back toward the flat and found a nice Indian restaurant. Ordered the butter chicken- yummm the food was so good!!  After that I decided to call it a night. I have a 4 hour train ride to Salzburg tomorrow- sure am going to miss Graz!! As I said, I have grown to love this place!!