History of Styria

Several “marches” were established in the territory of present-day Styria to protect the borders. They were united in 1180, declared a principality and separated from Bavaria.

The Babenbergs were given Styria in fief in 1192 and united it with the Austrian territories (Lower and Upper Austria). In 1254 Styria had to be ceded to Hungary. King Ottokar II Premysl reconquered the territory in 1260.

In 1282 the Habsburgs received Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Styria in fief. The Emperor Frederick III made Graz an imperial residence in 1440. After the Napoleonic Wars and the Peace of Pressburg, the Schlossberg castle was destroyed in 1809.

Lower Styria was taken from Austria in 1920 by the Treaty of St. Germain. The Ausseer region was reintegrated in Styria in 1948. The province has retained these borders to the present day.