Graz forming a hypocoristic derivative of Proto-West-South Slavic *gradьcъ, whichs descends via liquid metathesis from Common Slavic *gardьcъ and via the Slavic third palatalisation from Proto-Slavic *gardiku, originally denoting "small town, settlement". The name thus follows the common South Slavic pattern for naming settlements as "grad". The German name 'Graz' first appears in records in 1128. Graz is situated on the Mur river in southeast Austria. It is about southwest of Vienna. The nearest larger urban centre is Maribor in Slovenia which is about away. Graz is the capital and largest city in Styria, a green and heavily forested area. These
Trams in Graz the "Schlossbergbahn" funicular railway. The trams form part of the styrian integrated fare system which covers all modes of public transport in Graz and Styria. The Tramway Museum Graz, at the terminus of line 1 in Mariatrost, holds many exhibits relating to the system. The first trams to run in Graz were horse trams in private ownership, with service commencing in 1878. The lines were electrified from 1899. In 1939, the tram network was acquired by the city. In 1941, the narrow gauge electric railway that had linked Graz with the suburb of Mariatrost since 1898, was converted to standard