Gratkorn can be explored through several distinct themes: Romanesque architectural elements at St. Stephen’s Parish Church, the distinctive view of the Lourdes Chapel in Dult, and trails in the Graz Hills. There is also a tropical exhibition with more than 1,100 objects and a named circular hiking route. This lets you decide before your trip whether local history, collections or outdoor activity should be the focus.

From Romanesque traces to Roman times

The Catholic parish church of St. Stephen features architectural elements dating back to the Romanesque period. Together with the rectory, it is now one of the only architectural monuments in this area. A villa rustica—a country house built using Mediterranean construction techniques—is dated to around 200 AD. It is the only Roman building found in the Gratkorn Basin. The historical perspective therefore stretches from the Roman imperial period to the architectural elements of the church.

The Lourdes Chapel in Dult

The Lourdes Chapel stands opposite Maria Rast Monastery, at the intersection of Dultstraße and Brunnleitenweg. Its location provides a specific landmark in Dult. Inside, the Lourdes scene is recreated: Saint Bernadette kneels before the apparition of Mary.

Visitors cannot enter the chapel; the best way to view the scene is through the iron gate. When planning your visit, therefore, bear in mind that the display must be viewed from outside. The religious connection is made tangible through the recreated scene and the chapel’s location, even though access to the interior is not possible.

A collection offering a different cultural focus

The tropical exhibition is housed at Blumenbauernhof Teibinger in Gratkorn, north of Graz. Its collection comprises more than 1,100 objects. While the parish church offers a point of connection to architectural history, the tropical exhibition has its own distinct focus on collections. Those weighing up the area’s cultural attractions can choose between architecture, religious imagery and an extensive collection of objects.

Hiking trails in the Graz Hills

Gratkorn is nestled in the Graz Hills. The surrounding countryside has numerous hiking and cycling trails, so the choice is not limited to a single route. One specific hiking option is the Gratkorn circular route, which starts at Kirchplatz and follows hiking trail no. 8 via Höllgraben and Jasen to Höchwirt. The starting point and named stops provide clear guidance for planning the route.

Getting to Kirchplatz can also be planned easily: bus no. 110 goes directly there, and the stop is called St. Stefan Kirchplatz. Since the circular hike starts at Kirchplatz, this service may be useful for getting to the starting point. Check the current timetable before setting off, as transport details may change.

A recurring Maypole tradition

For many years, on the eve of May 1, the Gratkorn Rural Youth group has erected a maypole at the Kulturhaus Gratkorn. If you choose this tradition as the occasion for your trip, plan your visit for the right time and check the specific event dates. This lets you combine local history with a recurring cultural event, while the hiking trails, chapel and collection each offer their own focus for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kalsdorf Bei Graz, Graz, Kumberg, Fernitz Bei Graz, Neudorf, Gschnaidt, Wundschuh, Gemeinde Gratwein.

For the broader travel overview: Graz-Umgebung.