Hackher Lion
The original Hackher Lion by Otto Jarl was unveiled in 1909 to mark the 100th anniversary of the successful defence of the Schlossberg against French trops.
The bronze statue was dedicated to Major Franz Hackher zu Hart, who was celebrated as a hero in 1809, Hackher had successfully defended the Schlossberg as commander in the War of the Fifth Coalition against Napoleon, which was generally unfavourable for Austria. The victorious French ordered the fortress to be razed in the same year. The monument was melted down during the Second World War.
A referendum in Graz in 1963 led to its reerection, which Wilhelm Gösser realized in 1966 with a loose replica of the original lion.
Good to know
The Hackher Lion stands at the northern end of the Fernberger Bastion on Graz’s Schlossberg. From here, you can reach the Bell Tower, the Great Cistern, the Gothic Gate, and several other Schlossberg attractions within just a few minutes.
Allow around 10 to 15 minutes to visit the Hackher Lion and take photographs. Thanks to its central location, it can easily be combined with visits to the Bell Tower, the Great Cistern, the Gothic Gate, or the Schlossberg Restaurant.
Yes. The Hackher Lion is located in the freely accessible area of Graz’s Schlossberg and can be visited free of charge at any time.
The first Hackher Lion was created in 1909 by sculptor Otto Jarl. During the Second World War, the bronze statue was melted down. Following a public vote in Graz, a new sculpture by artist Wilhelm Gösser was unveiled in 1966 and still stands at its original location today.
Major Franz Xaver Freiherr von Hackher zu Hart was an Austrian officer who successfully defended Graz’s Schlossberg during the French siege of 1809. As no portrait of him existed, a lion was chosen as a symbol of courage, strength and steadfastness to honour his achievements.
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