The Otakars' capital since Ottokar III took the Graz area about 1139-1140, and the Babenberg duke's Styrian seat.
A castle on the Schlossberg (a fortress from 1125) stands over a large market laid out about 1160 on today's Hauptplatz. German Wikipedia puts the first secure mention in 1140 (Udalrich of Graz as a witness). On 1 January 1200 it is the duke's market town and residence; its town privileges and coat of arms come later (arms 1245).
Who holds it
- Name
- Leopold VI, duke of Styria
- Title
- Lord
- Confidence
- high
Lord in 1200
The duke of Styria, through his castellan on the Schlossberg (name not pinned).
How things stand that morning
The duke's market town and Styrian residence.
Charter
No town charter is pinned before 1200; the burghers' rights in Styria were first set down in general terms in the Georgenberg compact of 1186.
Council
Not pinned for 1200; the town is governed by the duke's officers.
Communities
A Jewish quarter in the southern Herrengasse is recorded later (until 1439); not pinned for 1200.
Fairs and markets
The market of about 1160; fair dates not pinned.
Militia
Not recorded.
Walls and castle
The castle on the Schlossberg; the Paulsburg is the oldest part of the town defences (undated).
Trade and crafts
The Mur crossing and the roads north to the Mürz and Semmering, west to Judenburg and south to Marburg; the duke's court.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Early dates rest on the town article; the 1200 institutions are not documented.
Primary sources for Styria
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- The Austrian and Salzburg annals (kept in the 12th and 13th centuries, with continuations to the late 13th century). A family of monastic annals from Austria, Styria and Salzburg, printed together. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.