Glockenspiel am Glockenspielhaus, Graz, Bell tower in Innere Stadt, Graz, Austria
The Glockenspiel building houses 24 bells arranged across two octaves, accompanied by wooden figures that emerge from the gable during performances. The structure combines mechanical engineering with handcrafted details that shape the character of this landmark in Graz's city center.
The structure was opened on Christmas Eve 1905 after entrepreneur Gottfried Simon Maurer purchased the building in 1884 and transformed it for this purpose. Its arrival marked a turning point in how the square began to develop and attract visitors.
The wooden figures that emerge during performances wear traditional clothing and dance to regional melodies and folk songs that reflect Styrian heritage. These movements have become part of what visitors experience when they spend time in this historic square.
Shows occur at regular intervals each day, allowing visitors to catch the performance multiple times if they wish to spend more time in the area. It helps to arrive at the square before the performances begin so you can find a good spot to watch from, especially during busy seasons.
The square itself received the name Glockenspielplatz only after the tower was installed, reflecting how much this structure reshaped how people saw the location. The renaming happened within a few years and marked the site's transformation from an ordinary plaza into a destination.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
