Morning stars
Graz, 1685
In 1683, Vienna was besieged by the army of the Turkish Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa. The Styrian estates perceived a threat to the northern and eastern borders of Styria, and thus both well-armed enlisted mercenaries and peasant subjects were conscripted to protect the border. With little experience of battle, these men were equipped with morning stars: clubs covered in iron spikes fixed onto wooden poles. A long, square thrust blade is attached on the upper part, whereas at the other end of the round pole made of spruce for reinforced with two langets, a bottom spike is mounted. 185 morning stars are still preserved; they were all produced by the Graz wood turner Egid Rotter. The total length amounts to approximately 250 cm, the thrust blade is about 25 cm long.
Styrian Armoury
Living History
Styrian ArmouryDas Landeszeughaus gilt als die größte erhaltene historische Waffenkammer der Welt. Gewinnen Sie einen unmittelbaren Eindruck von den rund 32.000 Objekte aus dem 15. bis 18. Jahrhundert!
more...Styrian Armoury
Herrengasse 16
8010 Graz, Österreich
T +43-316/8017-9810
zeughaus@museum-joanneum.at
Opening Hours
Admission only with guided tour:
1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 Tue-Sun, public holidays
Admission without a guided tour (brochure):
1 April 2023 to 31 October 2023 Tue-Sun, public holidays 10am - 6pm
Guided Tours
Please visit our calendar.
Guided tours on advance notice.
Due to the current Covid regulations, the number of participants is limited.
Open in addition:
Mo
)1st May 2023
29th May 2023
Closed:
24th/25th December 2023