Schloss Eggenberg

On the outskirts of Graz is a splendid and refined castle —— Eggenberg Castle (a splendid Renaissance-style building), built by an Italian architect in 1623. The design of this palace was inspired by the human understanding of astronomy and geography and cosmology during the Renaissance. Both the ceiling and the walls are painted with zodiac animals and planetary systems. The four towers of the palace symbolize the four directions of north, south, east, and west. The palace's 365 windows symbolize the days of the year. The 24 halls represent the 24 hours of the day. Today, Eggenberg Palace is not only open to tourists, the state government also uses the palace to entertain guests from various countries. There is also a beautiful natural park around the Eggenberg Palace, where peacocks or sika deer are often seen welcoming the hospitality of tourists.