Franciscan Church, Graz prominent Graz landmarks, is unusual for a Franciscan establishment. It owes its existence to the church's strategic location next to the city walls, and was built as a fortified tower by the city authorities in the 17th century. <BR> Franciscan Church, Graz The Franciscan Church () and Franciscan Monastery () are a church and associated monastery in the centre of the city of Graz, Austria. The monastery was founded by the Franciscan order, who still own it, and is first mentioned in 1239. In the church, a high but narrow 14th-century chancel contrasts with the comparatively low and wide nave.
Ice nativity scene (Graz) A local politician of the Green Party cynically noted: "Due to global warming, Advent will become ever milder. This raises the question of whether the city of Graz should continue to invest more than 40,000 € in a pool of water." Suggestions to cancel the project have been turned down by the tourist association who argued that the ice nativity scene rendered the economically important Graz Advent an "unmistakable" event. The "Tiroler Tageszeitung" made tongue-in-cheek claims about yearly bets of Graz citizens on the ice nativity scene’s endurance. A planned wood roof to protect the artwork from rain was vetoed