© STG | Tom Lamm © STG | Tom Lamm
Top sight in Graz

Eggenberg Palace

A place where history comes alive and culture becomes an experience: Eggenberg Palace on the outskirts of Graz is one of Styria's most important cultural treasures – and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Eggenberg Palace is considered one of Austria's most important Baroque ensembles and, together with the old town of Graz, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. The architecture and rich furnishings of the palace follow a sophisticated system of symbols that reflects the world view of the 17th century and showcases the power of the princely Eggenberg family. Particularly impressive is the preserved original interior, including over 500 ceiling paintings, which makes the palace a unique work of spatial art in an exceptional state of preservation. The state rooms and halls reflect the stylistic phases of the 17th and 18th centuries in an impressive manner. Today, the palace is part of the Universalmuseum Joanneum and houses several museums under one roof: the Alte Galerie with masterpieces of European art history, the Archaeology Museum and the Coin Cabinet.

© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
„In 2025, the imposing castle will celebrate its 400th anniversary and, with the STEIERMARK SCHAU, will become a stage for grand ideas and powerful images.“

On-site experience

Museums & Exhibitions

Eggenberg Palace houses several museums belonging to the Universalmuseum Joanneum.

© Graz Region | Vanessa Züttl

Ambition & Illusion

STEIERMARK SCHAU 2025

In 2025, Eggenberg Palace will celebrate its 400th anniversary and become the central venue for the third STEIERMARK SCHAU under the title ‘Ambition & Illusion’. From 26 April to 2 November 2025, the UNESCO World Heritage Site will be transformed into a multimedia stage that impressively stages the history of the princely Eggenberg family and their rise and fall.

The exhibition ‘Eggenberg Castle: Staging the World’ guides visitors through the castle's 24 state rooms, including the magnificent Planetarium Hall. Here, historical works of art are combined with new media and music to bring the life and power of the Eggenberg family to life. A special highlight is the presentation of Prince Johann Anton von Eggenberg's golden state carriage, which can be seen in Eggenberg for the first time in 360 years.

The main exhibition is complemented by two special exhibitions: ‘The Eggenbergers and Money’ in the Coin Cabinet and ‘Graz 1699’ in the Archaeology Museum. The exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays from 10:00 to 18:00 (closed on Mondays).

A view over the rooftops – history that connects

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Since 2010, Eggenberg Palace, together with Graz's old town, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a distinction that confirms the exceptional universal value of this architectural masterpiece. The visual connections between the historic city centre and the palace on the western outskirts of the city are still visible today and underline the urban connection between the residence and the centre of power. The roofscape – a central element of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Graz – is also impressively complemented by the ensemble of the old town and the palace.

© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart
© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart

A story with symbolic power

The power of numbers

The architecture of Eggenberg Palace follows a sophisticated numbering system that translates the order of time into stone. The Baroque palace has exactly 365 exterior windows – one for each day of the year. There are 31 rooms per floor, while 24 state rooms with a total of 52 doors and 60 windows form the heart of the palace. Four corner towers frame the strictly symmetrical complex.

This numerical symbolism is an expression of the world view of the time, which sought to harmonise order, power and the cosmos. The subject of timekeeping was particularly relevant: when Eggenberg Palace was built, the transition to the Gregorian calendar was still in full swing – a historical context that is directly reflected in the architecture.

Garden art and animal encounters

Eggenberg Palace Park

Eggenberg Palace Park is one of the most beautiful historic gardens in Styria. Originally laid out as a Baroque ornamental garden and later redesigned in the style of an English landscape garden, it combines formal rigour with natural expansiveness. Gentle paths lead through shady avenues, past ancient giant trees, the planet garden and fragrant rose hills – a place of tranquillity and inspiration.

A special eye-catcher and crowd favourite are the free-roaming peacocks, which strut through the grounds with their impressive plumage. They lend the park a fairytale atmosphere and make a walk around Eggenberg Palace a special nature experience – right in the middle of Graz.

© Graz Tourismus | Mias Photoart

When is Eggenberg Palace in Graz open?

The museums and state rooms at Eggenberg Palace are open from 26 April to 2 November 2025, Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibitions are closed on Mondays.
 Advance booking is recommended for the STEIERMARK SCHAU exhibition, as time slots apply.

Please note: Opening hours may vary on public holidays that fall on a Monday, as well as at Christmas and New Year. You can find the latest information on the museum's website.

The palace park and gardens of Eggenberg Palace are open daily throughout the year – opening hours vary depending on the season:

  • 1 January to 14 March 2025: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • 15 March to 2 November 2025: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • 3 November to 22 December 2025: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please note: Opening hours may vary on public holidays that fall on a Monday, as well as at Christmas and New Year. You can find the latest information on the museum's website.

The museums and state rooms are closed in winter and will not reopen until 26 April 2025.
However, the palace gardens remain open all year round, even during the winter months, daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A ticket for the main exhibition as part of STEIERMARK SCHAU (including the state rooms, Old Gallery, Archaeology Museum, Coin Cabinet and palace gardens) costs:

  • Adults: €15.00
  • Concessions (groups of 12 or more, senior citizens, people with disabilities, park annual pass holders): €13.00
  • Schoolchildren, apprentices, students under 26, military and community service personnel: €7.00
  • Children and young people under 19: free admission

A time slot ticket is required to visit the State Rooms – bookable online or on site at the ticket office.

Access to the palace park and gardens costs:

  • Adults: €2.00
  • Concessions (school pupils, students under 26, apprentices, military and civil service personnel): €1.00
  • Children and young people under 19: free

What is the best way to get to Eggenberg Palace in Graz?

Eggenberg Palace is easily accessible by tram:

  • Line 1 towards Eggenberg/UKH – stop: Schloss Eggenberg
  • Line 7 towards Wetzelsdorf – stop: Eggenberger Allee

Both stops are only a few minutes' walk from the palace grounds.
The journey time from Graz city centre is approximately 15 minutes.

There are public parking spaces along the road – a valid parking ticket is required.

„Did you know that the painter Hans Adam Weissenkircher assigned the seven celestial bodies known at the time to the days of the week, Roman gods, metals and members of the Eggenberg family in the ceiling painting in the Planetarium – among them a victorious general and an imperial envoy?“