Eggenberg Palace, Graz

Eggenberg Palace
Schloss Eggenberg (in German)
Aerial view in January 2019
Map
General information
TypePalace
Architectural styleGothic and Baroque
LocationGraz, Styria, Austria
Coordinates47°04′26″N 15°23′29″E / 47.07389°N 15.39129°E / 47.07389; 15.39129
Elevation365 m (1,198 ft)
Current tenantsPalace State Rooms, Alte Galerie, Coin Collection, Roman Stonework Collection, Archaeology Collection
Construction startedafter 1460 (medieval section), 1625 (Baroque expansion)
Completedc. 1635 (structure), 1685 (accouterments), 1762 (piano nobile)
Costover 105,000 guilder
ClientUniversalmuseum Joanneum
OwnerThe State of Styria
Height50 m (164 ft) (central tower)
Dimensions
Diameter65 m x 80 m (palace footprint)
Other dimensions90,000 m² (palace grounds)
Technical details
Floor count3
Floor area8,000 m²
Design and construction
Architect(s)Giovanni Pietro de Pomis
Other designersHans Adam Weissenkircher (court painter)
Official nameCity of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg
TypeCultural
Criteriaii, iv
Designated1999 (23rd session)
Reference no.931bis
RegionEurope and North America
Extensions2010 (34th session) included Schloss Eggenberg
References
  • Schloss Eggenberg. By Barbara Kaiser. Graz: Christian Brandstätter Verlag, 2006. ISBN 978-3-902510-80-8
  • Planet Eggenberg. By Hermann Götz. Graz: Leykam Medien AG, 2005.

Eggenberg Palace (German: Schloss Eggenberg) in Graz, is the most significant Baroque palace complex in the Austrian state of Styria.[1] With its preserved accouterments, the extensive scenic gardens, as well as some special collections from the Universalmuseum Joanneum housed in the palace and surrounding park, Schloss Eggenberg ranks among the most valuable cultural treasures of Austria. Eggenberg Palace is situated at an elevation of 381 meters on the Western edge of the city.[2] Its architectural design and the still visible imprint of centuries of history continue to bear witness to the vicissitude and patronage of the one-time mightiest dynasty in Styria, the House of Eggenberg.

In 2010, the significance of Schloss Eggenberg was recognised with an expansion to the listing of the Graz Historic Old Town among the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites.

Surrounded by walls, with a huge portal facing West, the palace is located in the Eggenberg district of Graz and can be reached by tram. The northern corner of the palace grounds features the Planetary Garden and Lapidarium of Roman stonework as well as the entrance to the new Archeology Museum,[1] which houses the Cult Wagon of Strettweg. At ground level, the palace houses a numismatic collection (Coin Cabinet)[3] located in the former rooms of Balthasar Eggenberger, owner of the imperial minting license and operations in the Late Middle Ages. On the upper level, the Alte Galerie[4] encompasses a large array of paintings, sculptures, and other works of art from the medieval era through the early modern period, spanning five centuries of European art history.

  1. ^ Das Joanneum – Österreichs Universalmuseum. 2006
  2. ^ Eggenberg Palace Elevation and Location
  3. ^ "Coin Cabinet Schloss Eggenberg". Joanneum. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  4. ^ "Alte Galerie Schloss Eggenberg". Joanneum. Retrieved 6 October 2019.