Building the house
from princely residence to modern museum
The rise of Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg to become a European statesman under Emperor Ferdinand II necessitated the generous conversion of the old family seat, a rather modest medieval property on the western fringes of Graz, to a princely residence with an appropriately lavish and prestigious edifice. He therefore placed orders for the creation of the new residence in 1625, which was to impressively reflect his new status.
The 17th century
After Prince Hans Ulrich was made Governor of Inner Austria in 1625, he immediately commissioned the most important court artist in the country, Giovanni Pietro de Pomis, with the planning and design of his new residence. 
The 18th century
The state rooms were redesigned in the new Rococo style in the middle of the eighteenth century under the last Princess Eggenberg, Maria Elenora, and her young husband Johann Leopold Count Herberstein.
Eggenberg Palace as part of the Universalmuseum Joanneum
The State of Styria purchased Eggenberg Palace in 1939. After being damaged during the war, extensive restorations were carried out and Eggenberg Palace was incorporated into the Landesmuseum Joanneum (Museum of the State of Styria, today Universalmuseum Joanneum) and then opened to the public in 1953. Since 1 August 2010 Eggenberg Palace is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg".
Calendar
Palace and Gardens
Eggenberger Allee 90
8020 Graz, Österreich
P +43-316/8017-9532
F +43-316/8017-9555
