Timeline of Graz

Prior to 14th century

1180 – Graz becomes capital of the Duchy of Styria.

1239 – Graz Friary active.

14th–16th centuries

1379 – Graz becomes capital of Inner Austria; Leopold III in power.

1438 – Graz Castle built.

1462 – Graz Cathedral built.

1560 – Clock tower built on the Schlossberg.

1585 – University of Graz founded.

1588 – Belltower built on the Schlossberg.

1590 – Dobel Castle built.

17th–18th centuries

1619 – Habsburg Ferdinand II becomes Holy Roman Emperor; relocates from Graz to Vienna.

1635 – Eggenberg Palace built (approximate date).

1640 – Mausoleum of Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor consecrated.

1645 – Styrian Armoury built.

1652 – Grabenkirche (church) dedicated.

1724 – Mariatrost Basilica (church) built.

1776 – Schauspielhaus Graz (theatre) built.

1786 – Catholic See of Seckau prince-bishop residence relocated to Graz.

1794 – Prison in use.

1797 – French in power.

19th century

1809 – June: Battle of Graz.

1811 – Landesmuseum Joanneum (museum) established.

1816 – Music school established.

1823 – Population: 40,000 (approximate).

1828 – Graz Mutual Insurance Company founded.

1844 – Southern Railway in operation (approximate date).

1847 – Central Railway Station opens.

1850 – Historical Society of Styria founded.

1855 – Grazer Telegraf newspaper begins publication.

1864 – Technical High School and Thalía Theatre active.

1872 – Grazer Waggon- & Maschinen-Fabriks-Aktiengesellschaft (manufacturer) in business.

1876 – Steiermärkische Fechtklub (fencing club) founded.

1878 – Horse trams begin operating.

1885 – Grazer Congress (concert hall) built.

1887 – Sacred Heart of Jesus Church built.

1888 - Grazer Alpenclub (hiking club) formed.

1889 – Club der Amateurfotografen (photography club) founded.

1894 – Schlossbergbahn funicular railway begins operating.

1899

Graz Opera house inaugurated.

Electric tram begins operating.

1900s–1950s

1900 – Population: 138,370.

1902 – Grazer AK (sports club) formed.

1904 – Kleine Zeitung newspaper begins publication.

1909

SK Sturm Graz (football club) formed.

Grand Hotel Wiesler in business.

1912 – LKH-Universitätsklinikum (hospital) built.

1913 – Volkskundemuseum (folkloric museum) opens.

1914 – September: Talerhof concentration camp in operation near city.

1919 – Vinzenz Muchitsch becomes mayor.

1920 - Population: 157,032.

1925 – Graz Airport active.

1938

February: City becomes part of Nazi Germany.

Julius Kaspar becomes mayor.

1941 – Trolleybuses begin operating.

1945

Allied occupation of Austria begins; Styria overseen by British forces.

Eduard Speck becomes mayor.

Die Wahrheit communist newspaper begins publication.

1951

Population: 226,476.

Die Aula magazine begins publication.

1955 – July: Allied occupation of Austria ends per Austrian State Treaty.

1960s–1990s

1960

Gustav Scherbaum becomes mayor.

Hafnerriegel (residence building) constructed.

Forum Stadtpark (art gallery) opens.

1963 – Eisstadion Liebenau (sports arena) built.

1971 – Tramway Museum Graz founded.

1973 – Alexander Götz becomes mayor.

1985 – Alfred Stingl becomes mayor.

1993 – Nausner & Nausner Verlag (publisher) in business.

1995 – Das Megaphon newspaper begins publication.

1997 – Schwarzenegger-Stadium opens.

1998

Diagonale film festival active.

Schreibkraft magazine founded.

1999 – Old Town designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

21st century

2001

Magna Steyr automobile manufacturer headquartered in Graz.

Springfestival begins.

2002 – Stadthalle Graz (assembly hall) opens.

2003

Graz Art Museum built.

City designated an European Capital of Culture.

Murinsel (amphitheatre) opens.

Homeless World Cup football contest held.

Siegfried Nagl becomes mayor.

2005 – Elevate Festival begins.

2007

Rondo built.

Einkaufszentrum Murpark (shopping mall) in business.

2013 – Population: 265,778.

2015 – A van and knife attack kills three and injures 36.