Description
Exhibition
A highlight one shouldn't miss is the hall of mirrors, which was most probably modelled on Palace Schönbrunn. The cultural historical collection has some particular gems to offer, among which you'll find the Gothic carriage of Friedrich III. dating back to the year 1452. A traverse flute, which was built by Jean Hotteterre in 1680, is worth a look, too. Last but not least, a hat of an Austrian duke originating in the region of Steiermark in Austria, which was built around 1400, is not to be missed when visiting the museum. Generally, most of the exhibition samples are related to the city of Graz or the Steiermark region.
Special exhibitions
On ground floor, you'll find an exhibition showing contemporary arts and crafts. One of this year's special exhibitions is dedicated to the topic “shoes in the course of time”. Another special exhibition, “warehouse in the museum”, presents haberdashery (dry goods) artifacts from “Kurzwarenhandlung Kastner & Öhler”, which was founded in 1873. It used to be an important warehouse for the monarchy and a centre for culture of consumerism in Graz. Here, you'll be explained the differences and similarities between the museum and the warehouse.
Please bear in mind that the museum remains closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Historical Information
The city palais Herberstein is one of the most significant architecture memorials in the old town of Graz. It has been in the hands of the family Herberstein since 1565. In 1941 the New Gallery was accommodated to a part of the palais. Since 2011 the cultural historical collection of the Universal Museum Joanneum has been made accessible to visitors.
The collection is dedicated to the political and royal status symbol of former times, which perfectly blend into the baroque atmosphere of the palais.
The cultural historical collection of the Universal Museum Joanneum was created by an initiative of Karl Lacher. He, a sculptor himself, was fascinated by the counter movement of the industrialisation that emerged in the context of the universal exhibition in London in 1851. Thereupon, many museums of applied arts were founded and created all over Europe.
The collection in Graz was publicly shown for the first time in 1895. Then, it already contained 5394 samples and nowadays it counts roughly 35,000 exhibition pieces.
How to get there
By foot
You'll find the Museum in the Palais located just underneath the mountain the palace is built on. Within 20 minutes you'll reach the museum on foot if you walk from the main train station. Starting at the main train station, you get to the river Mur first crossing the Kepplerstraße and then Mühlgasse. Via the Mursteg you get to the Schlossbergplatz (square), when there, turn into the Sackstraße. This is where you'll find the palais.
By bicycle
By bicycle it will only take you appr. 8 minutes to get to the museum if you ride on the Kepplerstraße and along the Landkai (quay).
