Metahof Castle

The original builders of the Metahof-Schlössl are unknown, but in the 16th century, it stood on a property belonging to the Eggenberg family. From 1678, the estate passed into the possession of the Counts of Saurau. Maria Ludwig Graf von Saurau, who also owned Graz's Palmburg, commissioned renovations starting in 1744, led by master builder Joseph Hueber. During this period, the north wing was extended, and the west and south wings were added. The complex was also supplemented with an orangery, a greenhouse, a frescoed garden pavilion, and a dairy farm. After various changes of ownership, Count Kottulinsky acquired the small castle in 1805. He bought the surrounding plots of land and had what was then the largest private garden in Graz laid out. In the late 19th century, parcelling led to the creation of new streets.