Kleegraben lies on the hills south of Ilz, between the Ilz and Rittschein valleys. The area offers a range of things to explore during a stay: a hiking route, a distinctive mining history, chapels and wine. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide whether you would like your stay to focus on the landscape, cultural history or regional specialities.
Hiking Trail and Landscape
The Ilzer Rosenapfel hiking trail passes through the landscape of Kleegraben/Ilzberg. If you are mainly looking for a hiking route when choosing where to stay, it offers a specific point of interest. Its focus differs from that of the Knappenturm: there, the views over the former coal-mining area and its mining history take centre stage. This makes it possible to distinguish between a focus on the landscape and one on history when choosing a place to stay.
Mining History at the Knappenturm
Lignite mining was particularly significant in Kleegraben until the mines closed in 1964. The Knappenturm was built at the Weinhof Brunner in Kleegraben. On its front, a mine cart, known as a Grubenhunt, represents the entrance to a tunnel. This motif makes the mining history visible through a specific object. From the platform, visitors can look out over the former coal-mining area; the view stretches across the eastern Styrian hill country, taking in Riegersburg, as far as the Koralpe and Rabenwald. A map displayed at the Knappenturm viewing platform shows former mine entrances and tunnels. The 1964 closure places these traces in their historical context: coal mining is part of Kleegraben’s history.
Two forms of interpretation come together at the tower: the mine cart represents a tunnel entrance, while the map shows former mine entrances and tunnels. The views and the map complement each other, offering a look at the former mining area and information about its mining traces.
Chapels with Different Connections
The chapels also have their own distinct features. The Berglerkapelle, also known as the Knappenkapelle, is a protected monument. The Eggerkapelle invites visitors to pause and pray in quiet reflection. The Barbarakapelle was once visited by miners. Each has a different connection: monument protection is central to the Berglerkapelle, prayer and reflection to the Eggerkapelle, and the historical link to the miners to the Barbarakapelle. They also differ in their historical associations: the Barbarakapelle is part of the mining history because miners once visited it, while the Eggerkapelle invites quiet reflection.
Wine and Local Character
The Weinhof Brunner is known for its wines and local specialities; as a traditional wine tavern, it offers tastings on site. The Knappenturm was built at the winery. This named location brings together mining history and wine. For visitors interested in both cultural themes and regional specialities, this creates a distinctive focus in Kleegraben. The offerings also have different historical contexts: lignite mining ended in 1964, while wines, local specialities and tastings are characteristic of the winery.
The chapels add monuments, prayer and historical memory to the picture. This makes it possible to choose a stay based on specific interests rather than a single keyword alone.
Discover more destinations: Sankt Stefan, Obertiefenbach, Burgau, Tiefenbach Bei Kaindorf, Söchau, Vorau, Kaibing, Kaindorf.
View the regional travel overview: Hartberg-FĂĽrstenfeld.
