Introduction
Graz’s historic city center is famous as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but just a short trip outside the city center, you can enjoy peaceful Austrian countryside and experience a much more local side of Austria.
This time, I visited the area around St. Martin in southwestern Graz. This area is home to Landwirtschaftliche Fachschule Grottenhof, an agricultural school with facilities and farms that are open to the public. There are also several hiking trails in the surrounding area, making it a great destination for a half-day walk.
It may not be one of Graz’s famous tourist attractions, but if you want to experience authentic Austrian scenery and get a glimpse of local life, I highly recommend this area.
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Grottenhof Agricultural School
The first place I visited was Landwirtschaftliche Fachschule Grottenhof, or Grottenhof Agricultural School.
As the name suggests, it is a school where students learn about agriculture, but there are also several facilities on the grounds that can be enjoyed by the general public.
An Exhibition That Lets You Explore the World Beneath the Soil
One of the most interesting things was a small exhibition introducing the ecosystem beneath the soil.
The interior is designed to make you feel as if you were actually underground, with models of creatures such as:
- Giant earthworms
- Millipedes
- Mites
Since this is an educational facility, it is mainly aimed at children, but even adults can find it surprisingly entertaining.
That said, it might be a little intense for anyone who doesn’t like insects!（笑）
The Cattle Barn Is Another Highlight
There is also a cattle barn on the Grottenhof grounds, which visitors can see as well. Several dozen cows are kept here, giving you a chance to see what a real agricultural school looks like in practice.
The barn is divided into different areas according to their purpose. In addition to spaces where the cows can eat, there are comfortable resting areas with soft bedding, as well as separate areas for cows that are unwell or need medical treatment. I was impressed that this is not simply a place where cattle are kept, but also a facility where students can learn about animal health and welfare.
You can get quite close to the cows, so I imagine this is also a popular spot for families with children. The cows were calmly eating or lying down, creating a very peaceful atmosphere.
And then there was something that personally caught my attention.
A vending machine selling fresh milk.
The milk comes from the cows raised at the school, and the prices are:
- 1 liter: about €1.30
- Available in 0.5-liter quantities as well
Freshly milked milk at a price only slightly cheaper than what you would pay at a supermarket—that was quite a surprise!
If I lived nearby, I would definitely become a regular customer.
There were also vending machines selling products such as:
- Yogurt
- Dairy products
Everything was available at very reasonable prices.
Farms and Vineyards
The school grounds also include agricultural fields, where you can see:
- Cattle barns
- Fields
- Vineyards
The area around Graz is one of Styria’s major wine-producing regions, so it appears that wine production is also part of the school’s agricultural activities.
Rather than feeling like a tourist farm, the place has the authentic atmosphere of a working educational facility. It was a great place to get a closer look at agriculture in Austria.
Hiking Around St. Martin
After exploring the agricultural school, I continued my walk around St. Martin.
I ended up spending much more time than expected at the agricultural school, so I didn’t walk the entire hiking route. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed the area.
The area is surrounded by forests and meadows, and it is surprisingly quiet considering how close it is to the city of Graz.
Even in summer, the shade of the trees is pleasantly cool, making it a relaxing place to simply stroll around and enjoy the surroundings.
Schloss St. Martin
One of the highlights of the hike is Schloss St. Martin.
Rather than being an extravagant castle, it has more of the feel of an elegant and peaceful manor house. I thought it blended beautifully with the surrounding natural landscape.
It may not be a spectacular tourist attraction, but it is a wonderful place to take a leisurely walk while enjoying the scenery.
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Conclusion
St. Martin and Grottenhof are not among Graz’s famous tourist attractions.
However, the area offers a wonderful combination of:
- Authentic Austrian countryside
- Educational exhibits unique to an agricultural school
- Fresh milk and yogurt
- Relaxing hiking trails
- The beautiful Schloss St. Martin
Together, these attractions offer a glimpse of a side of Graz that you won’t experience by staying in the city center alone.
The fresh milk vending machine was particularly memorable, as it is not something you are likely to encounter in Japan. It was also interesting to get a small glimpse into the everyday life of local people.
If you want to take a break from sightseeing in central Graz, enjoy a walk in nature, or experience a more local side of Austria, I highly recommend adding St. Martin and Grottenhof to your itinerary.
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