Franziskanerkirche

The Franciscans arrived in Graz as early as 1239 – their monastery on the banks of the Mur is the oldest still existing in the city. The Church of the Assumption of Mary grew over the centuries: the Gothic choir was built in the 14th century, the distinctive tower with its pointed helmet was completed around 1636 and once served as part of the city fortifications. After suffering severe bomb damage in World War II, the choir received modern stained glass windows that consciously stand out from the historical fabric. Noteworthy are the quiet cloister and the Chapel of St. James. Surrounding the monastery is the Franziskaner Quarter, one of the oldest and today most vibrant neighborhoods of the old town, featuring small shops, market stalls, and garden restaurants. Just behind it runs the Murradweg – making the church one of the most easily accessible historical sites in the city by bike.