Styria, with an area of approximately 16,401 square kilometers, captivates with its diverse landscape, stretching from the majestic peaks of the Tauern and the Dachstein Alps to the gentle hills of Southern Styria. Graz, the capital and second-largest city of Austria, impresses with its well-preserved old town, historical buildings, and cultural institutions.
The economy in Styria is highly diversified, encompassing sectors such as tourism, agriculture, industry, and technology. The region gained particular recognition for its wine production, apple cultivation (especially in Eastern Styria), and culinary specialties like pumpkin seed oil and Schilcher wine. The Styrian folk culture, including traditional costumes, dances, and customs, shapes cultural life as much as the rich culinary tradition.
Styria is Austria's most forested federal state, with 60% of its land covered by forests, earning it the nickname "Green Heart of Austria." To meet the goals outlined in the Forestry Act, the forests must be maintained in good condition. Seventy-six percent of Styria is mountainous, while the permanent settlement area comprises about 32%, hosting cities, villages, and agricultural land.
Having evolved from a historically significant region to a modern economic and cultural center, Styria successfully preserves its traditions and impressive nature in a harmonious balance. The various regions within Styria offer visitors a wide range of landscape and cultural experiences.
The prehistoric traces of human presence in Styria date back to the Middle Paleolithic era, during the time of the Neanderthals. Early findings of stone and bone tools in the Graz Highlands, in caves such as Repolusthöhle, Badlhöhle near Peggau, and Drachenhöhle near Mixnitz, reveal the oldest evidence of human existence in Austria, dating back approximately 300,000 years.
From a layer of deposits in the ante-chamber of the Lurgrotte cave, with an age of at least 30,000 years, quartz stone artifacts and a reindeer bone with clear butchering marks were recovered, providing evidence of the cave's use by Ice Age reindeer hunters. Neolithic settlements have also been identified, including those at Pölshals and Buchkogel near Wildon.
During the Bronze and Urnfield periods, Central Europe experienced significant cultural development, reflected in Styrian findings at locations such as Wörschach, Königsberg near Tieschen, Bärnbach, Ringkogel near Hartberg, Kulm near Trofaiach, and Kulm near Weiz.
The Dachstein, majestically rising in the Northern Limestone Alps, serves as the main peak of the Dachstein massif. It takes the form of a double summit, with the Hoher Dachstein being the highest peak at 2,995 meters above sea level, making it the highest peak in the Dachstein massif, Styria, and Upper Austria. The Dachstein has played a fascinating role in the region's history, being considered the "Cradle of the Hallstatt Culture" and offering insights into the prehistoric settlement of these areas.
The Hallstatt Culture, named after the town of Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria, flourished in the Early Iron Age across much of Europe from around 800 BCE. Archaeological findings near the Dachstein, particularly in the Gjaidstein cave, indicate early human presence and the beginnings of a culture that had a significant impact on the entire Alpine region. Recent research reveals traces of Bronze Age pastoral use of natural pastures above the tree line on the Dachstein. The Dachstein massif, with its diverse and extensive alpine meadows, allowed for the production of part of the food supply for the salt metropolis of Hallstatt. About 40 structures of prehistoric Alpine huts are known there.
In addition to its significance for the Hallstatt Culture, the Dachstein is closely linked to salt mining. Salt extraction continued continuously here for an astonishing 7,000 years. The salt deposits inside the Dachstein played a crucial role in the economic development and prosperity of the region.
Thus, the Dachstein is not only an impressive natural wonder but also a witness to the fascinating human history, spanning from early settlers to the heyday of the Hallstatt Culture and the prolonged salt mining. Today, the Dachstein attracts visitors eager to explore its stunning nature and historical traces. Notable finds from the Hallstatt period include the princely tomb on Burgstallkogel in Kleinklein near Leibnitz and the Strettweg ceremonial cart.
In the eastern part of the country, in the East Styrian Hill Country, traces from the Hallstatt period are also found. The Celtic settlement on Ringkogel is a fortified Celtic hill settlement dating from both the Hallstatt and La Tène periods. Like Kulm, Ringkogel was also a significant chalk fire station. This archaeological site near Hartberg provides insight into Celtic settlement and culture in this region during these historical epochs.
The migration of the Celts into Styria, assumed to have occurred between 450 and 250 BCE, significantly influenced the culture of the La Tène period. Finds from the 5th and 4th centuries BCE confirm the La Tène Culture, with Middle La Tène period burial sites taking center stage in the 3rd century BCE. Archaeological evidence suggests a Celtic population movement upstream in each case.
The majority of today's Styrian territory was part of the Kingdom of Noricum, a Celtic kingdom in the area of present-day Austria, with its capital at Noreia, encompassing parts of Carinthia, Salzburg, as well as Lower and Upper Austria. Thus, Noricum was the first political entity on Austrian soil, founded around 200 BCE when thirteen Celtic tribes united to form a kingdom.
The history of Styria extends from archaeological finds from the Roman and Migration periods through the Carolingian colonization to its heyday as a duchy under Habsburg rule in the Middle Ages. The region was affected by religious conflicts during the Reformation and Counter-Reformation.
The eastern part of Styria played a crucial role for centuries as a bulwark against hostile invasions from the east. In the Carolingian era, so-called shooting farms were established as the first line of defense. Over time, a sophisticated defense system emerged, consisting of castles, tabors, redoubts, and chalk fire stations placed on prominent vantage points. Many of these defense structures had their origins in the Celtic era and were later developed or reintroduced to protect the region from potential threats.
The Basilica of Mariazell is a significant pilgrimage church and the only national sanctuary in Austria. It is located in the town of Mariazell in Styria. The pilgrimage church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is one of the most important and visited Marian pilgrimage sites in Europe.
The history of pilgrimage to Mariazell dates back to the 12th century. Legend has it that in 1157, a statue of the Virgin Mary was found by a lumberjack in a remote forest, leading to the founding of the pilgrimage site. Over the centuries, the pilgrimage church underwent several renovations and expansions.
In the 19th century, the Salzkammergut region became known as the "Emperor's Summer Retreat" as it served as the summer residence of the Austrian imperial family. Historical places like Altaussee, Bad Aussee, Bad Ischl, St. Wolfgang, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hallstatt are adorned with magnificent castles, churches, and charming streets. Emperor Franz Joseph spent only three of his 86 summers outside Ischl. It is less known that the imperial society also enjoyed holidays in Joglland, in St. Jakob im Walde, where they owned a hunting lodge. It was there that the last Emperor of Austria, Charles I, and his wife Zita met.
Throughout history, Styria has produced many significant figures. One such outstanding individual was Archduke Johann of Austria. Born in 1782 in Florence, he was a major supporter of science, technology, agriculture, and art in Styria. Johann played a key role in the economic and educational development of Styria. His initiatives and investments contributed to the modernization of the region and profoundly influenced its development.
Another prominent figure in Styrian history is the writer Peter Rosegger. Born in 1843 in Alpl, a small village in Upper Styria, Rosegger became one of the most well-known and widely read writers of the 19th century in German literature. His works, including "Waldheimat" and "When I Was Still a Forest Farm Boy," reflect his deep understanding and love for nature and the Styrian homeland.
Peter Rosegger and Archduke Johann thus exemplify the cultural and intellectual diversity, as well as the deep connection to nature and homeland, that have shaped Styria.
Styria is not only a popular tourist destination offering outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, cycling, and wine tasting but also impresses with its diverse nature, including attractions like the Gesäuse National Park and the Dachstein. The region hosts renowned educational and research institutions like Graz University of Technology and Karl-Franzens University, founded on January 1, 1585, by Archduke Charles.
Styrian traditional customs have evolved as a vibrant expression of Austria's regional identity, reflecting the region's dynamic history and the strong unity and connection of its people to their roots and traditions.
