The historical Duchy of Styria, spanning modern southern Austria and northeastern Slovenia, was once one of the industrial and strategic hearts of the Habsburg realms. Rich in iron ore from the Erzberg and Pohorje mountains, Styria forged its identity through metalworking, arming empires, building cities, and shaping trade from the Alps to the Adriatic. Its foundries and forges fueled Vienna’s rise, while Graz flourished as a ducal and cultural center. South of the Drava, Slovenian Styria carried this legacy in market towns, castles, and craft traditions that blended Alpine and Slavic influences, forming a cohesive region bound by industry, resilience, and artistry.
