Stadtpalais Liechtenstein, Vienna

The Stadtpalais Liechtenstein, also called Liechtenstein City Palace, is a residential building in Vienna's first district, Innere Stadt. Construction started in 1691, led by Dominik Andreas Graf Kaunitz, based on designs by Enrico Zuccalli. In 1694, Prince Johann Adam Andreas I. of Liechtenstein hired Domenico Martinelli to finish it, adding Vienna's first grand Baroque portal on Bankgasse. Later, between 1836 and 1847, Prince Alois II. von Liechtenstein remodeled the palace in the "Second Rococo" style.

During the 19th century, the building garnered acclaim for its technological advancements, including an elevator spanning four floors, an internal intercom system equipped with correspondence tubes made from rubber and silk, and a sophisticated hot air heating system with discreetly integrated outlet vents within the wall paneling.

The City Palace's top two floors feature a stunning Baroque grand staircase and staterooms with Baroque stucco ceilings, neo-Rococo interiors, original furnishings, silk draperies, and parquet floors designed by Michael Thonet. These elements offer a glimpse into the past, and the palace displays artworks from the Biedermeier and Classicism periods, part of Prince von und zu Liechtenstein's private collection, available for viewing during palace tours.

This remarkable building is one of two palaces in Vienna that belong to the princely family of Liechtenstein, with the other being the Liechtenstein Garden Palace. It continues to serve as a private residence for the princely family. Following a restoration in 2013, the palace now houses the 19th-century portion of the princely art collection, while artworks from the 16th to 18th centuries are on display at the Liechtenstein Garden Palace.

Why You Should Visit:
Following an extensive renovation with great attention to detail, the palace again appears in all of its former glory and can be viewed exclusively as part of an event or a guided tour.