Graz districts for explorers
Gries

St Andrä parish church: Baroque meets contemporary art in the heart of Gries

Baroque parish church of St Andrä in Graz-Gries, taken from the front in daylight, with white façade, red tiled roof and striking onion dome, surrounded by trees and quiet street layout
Symbol photo

As you stroll through the lively Griesviertel, where oriental spice shops meet Italian espresso bars and voices in dozens of languages float through the air, you may suddenly discover a place that makes everything around you quiet down: the Parish Church of St. AndräNestled in one of Graz's most colorful districts, the church stands as a cultural and spiritual center – and surprises with a mix that you won't find in any other church in the city.

Even from the outside, it appears unspectacular. But as soon as you step through the main portal, a world of ornate altars, baroque ornamentation, and... modern art opens up. Because St. Andrä is not like any other church: Since the art project Andrä Art Here you'll encounter not only plaster angels and 18th-century paintings, but also light installations, contemporary sculptures, and spatial concepts by international artists. Tradition and the present – here they live side by side.

At the same time, the church is also a spiritual meeting place for people from all over the world. Multilingual services, international community groups, and an open, supportive community characterize this place. Whether you are interested in art, history, faith, or simply beautiful spaces: St. Andrä invites you to pause for a moment, observe, and be touched.

History & atmosphere of Parish Church of St. Andrä

The present parish church of St. Andrew was built between 1616 and 1627 according to plans by Archangelo Carlone and later underwent extensive Baroque remodeling in the 18th century. The centerpiece of the church is the imposing Crucifixion Altar by Philipp Jakob Straub from 1750 – a Baroque masterpiece with dramatic lighting and vibrant figures.

Since 1999, the project Andrä Art for a regular artistic exploration of the church space. Artists from all over the world redesign windows, altar niches, or entire spatial concepts – without destroying the sacred character. The result is a place that is constantly in flux and always welcomes you in a different way.

What Parish Church of St. Andrä so special

  • Combination of baroque splendor with contemporary art in the church interior
  • Open, international congregation with multilingual services
  • Central location in the multicultural Griesviertel, close to Griesplatz and Mur
  • Participation in art initiatives, festivals and interreligious projects
  • Surprise effect: simple from the outside, impressive from the inside

Insider tip

The best time to visit St. Andrä is in the late afternoon, when the light streams through the colorful windows and the church interior glows in soft colors. Take a close look at the temporary art installations – they often tell quiet but touching stories about our times. If you're lucky, there might be a small choir performance or an art exhibition going on – that's St. Andrä live.

How to find the place - Parish Church of St. Andrä

Address:
St.-Andrä-Platz 1, 8020 Graz

Journey:
It's just a few steps from Griesplatz. Tram lines 5 and 6 take you directly to the hotel (stop Griesplatz). You can also walk there from the city center in about 10 minutes.

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Near Parish Church of St. Andrä

  • Griesplatz – colorful hustle and bustle, market, street food & urban diversity
  • Graz Synagogue – a modernly rebuilt site of Jewish history
  • Murpromenade – perfect for moving on towards the city centre or Volksgarten
  • Volksgarten – popular park with a bandstand, playground & quiet areas

 

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