Thousands and Thousands of Rifles

We checked into our hotel in Graz and had lunch, then despite our jet lag, we went for a tour of the city. This is a farmer’s city, much of the land in Styria is used for farming, there is a market every day beginning at 4 am.  There are also many courtyards, our guide said one was called the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ because it was so difficult to find your way out. 

Among the courtyards and cobblestones, we toured a fascinating museum called the Armoury. Here there were four stories with nothing but weapons, armor and other machines of war. Stack upon stack of 15th and 16th century muskets, huge things that were not held like rifles but used on turrets to defend castles. Then row after row of spiked helmets, and thousands of old pistols, all neatly racked. The whole place is made of wood, that’s what absorbs the moisture so all of this metal doesn’t rust.  All of these thousands of rifles and cannons were for one reason—to defend Austria against the invading Turks over the decades.

We were pooped but we made it to the third floor, there among more shields, swords and bayonets was a full set of horse armor. Even the ears were shielded in steel. 

After more tours of narrow alleyways and ancient buildings, including one courtyard with a realistic-looking marble snowman inside, I asked to be excused to catch a nap here in my hotel.