Palais Saurau mit Türkenfigur, Styria Travel Guide

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Explore Palais Saurau in Graz: A Renaissance gem with a storied past and the iconic Türkenfigur, offering a glimpse into the city's vibrant history.

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Palais Saurau mit Türkenfigur

Palais Saurau, a Renaissance palace on Graz's Sporgasse, boasts a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Its iconic 'Türkenfigur,' a half-figure of a Turk, adorns the facade, sparking local legends and captivating visitors.

A brief summary to Palais Saurau mit Türkenfigur

Sporgasse 25, Graz, 8010, AT
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Palais Saurau mit Türkenfigur.

Take a stroll along Sporgasse to admire Palais Saurau's facade and soak in the atmosphere of Graz's Old Town.
Look for remnants of Ionic columns and the coat of arms of Count von Saurau on the decorated portal.
Visit the Graz Museum to see the original Türkenfigur from Palais Saurau.

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Getting There

Walking

Palais Saurau is located on Sporgasse, a pedestrian street in the heart of Graz. From Hauptplatz, the main square, walk south along Sporgasse. The palace is located on the left side of the street at Sporgasse 25. No costs are associated with walking.
Public Transport

From Jakominiplatz, a major transportation hub in Graz, take tram lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 23 to Südtiroler Platz. From there, walk north along Annenstraße, then turn right onto Schmiedgasse, which leads to Sporgasse. The Palais Saurau will be on your left. A single ride on the tram costs €3.20.
Parking

Several parking garages are located near Sporgasse, including Kastner & Öhler Tiefgarage and Tiefgarage Burgring Graz. Parking rates typically range from €4.20 to €4.50 per hour, with daily maximums between €42.00 and €45.00. Note that Sporgasse is largely a pedestrian zone, so direct vehicle access is restricted.

Discover more about Palais Saurau mit Türkenfigur

Palais Saurau, prominently situated on Sporgasse in Graz, is a captivating landmark steeped in history and architectural significance. Constructed in the 16th century, this Renaissance palace has witnessed centuries of Graz's evolution. The palace's origins trace back to Pankraz von Windisch-Graetz, who received the land from Emperor Ferdinand I in 1564. In 1629, Friedrich von Windisch-Graetz sold the building to Karl Graf von Saurau, the governor of Styria at the time, who gave the building its current name. The architecture of Palais Saurau is a testament to the Renaissance style, featuring a three-story structure with four wings enclosing a rectangular courtyard. The south side of the building once featured open colonnades, but these were later enclosed to create a staircase. The decorated portal is particularly noteworthy, featuring a rusticated round-arched stone portal with the coat of arms of Count von Saurau, added in 1630. The spandrels of the arch display the coats of arms of Count Karl von Saurau and his wife. However, the most iconic feature of Palais Saurau is undoubtedly the 'Türkenfigur,' a half-figure of a Turk adorning the facade. This wooden figure, depicting a man with a beard, turban, and dagger, has become a symbol of the palace and a source of local legends.One popular tale connects the Türkenfigur to the siege of Graz by the Turks in 1532. According to the legend, a cannonball fired from Schlossberg (Graz's castle hill) landed on the plate of a Turkish pasha dining in the palace, causing him to withdraw his troops in anger. However, historical records indicate that the Turks never actually occupied Graz, suggesting that the story is apocryphal. The original Türkenfigur is now housed in the Graz Museum, with a copy displayed on the Palais Saurau facade. Today, Palais Saurau stands as a protected historical monument, a reminder of Graz's rich past and architectural heritage.