Augarten Palace, Vienna

Despite extensive damage suffered during World War II, the 17-century Palais Augarten, built on the site of a hunting château, has been maintained almost in its original appearance, with many sumptuous furnishings still in place. Located in the 130-acre Augarten Park, Vienna's oldest Baroque garden, the palace is now home (and rehearsal space) of the world-famous Vienna Boys' Choir (Wiener Sängerknaben) who perform music that ranges from classical to world music to pop.

As early as 1772, so-called Morgenkonzerte ("morning concerts") were conducted or performed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the Garden Hall of the Palais Augarten; but the house was also used for many other festivals and concerts. The morning concerts were for a time conducted exclusively by Mozart himself, then alternated between different conductors until 1795 when concert management was transferred to famous violinist Ignaz Schuppanzigh. Ludwig van Beethoven in 1803 also had several of his works performed under the direction of Schuppanzigh, and in 1824 it was Franz Schubert's turn to have his song "The Nightingale" performed.

In the years 1820 to 1847, the 1 May concerts also took place in the Garden Hall, where mainly works by Johann Strauss Sr. were presented. In the second half of the 19th century, Augarten became much less popular than before. The Baroque park, the palace and the remaining part of the original park wall, dating from the early 18th century, are since 2000 listed as historic monuments.