Uhrturm: Graz's Enduring Symbol

The Grazer Uhrturm, a 28-meter-high clock tower, stands as the proud symbol of Graz, visible from nearly every point in the city. Located on the Schlossberg, its origins trace back to the 13th century when it served as a watchtower. The tower received its current form in 1569, with the installation of a clock featuring three large dials. A fourth dial was added in 1712. The wooden gallery surrounding the tower was once used by fire watchmen to monitor the city.Notably, the Uhrturm's clock hands are reversed; the larger hand indicates the hour, and the smaller hand indicates the minutes. This is because, historically, only the hour hand was present, making it larger for visibility. When the minute hand was added, space constraints dictated a smaller size. The tower houses three bells: the hour bell (1382), the fire alarm bell (1645), and the 'poor sinner's bell' (1450), which once tolled during executions.The Schlossberg itself has a rich history, serving as a fortress from 1125 to 1809 and famously resisting Napoleon's forces. Today, the Schlossberg is a public park offering various attractions, including the bell tower, the Bürgerbastei gardens, and stunning city views. Visitors can ascend the Schlossberg via the Schlossbergbahn funicular, the Schlossberg lift, or by foot using the Felsensteig stairs.