Highlights of the Liechtenstein Palaces
Explore two of the most lavish palaces in Vienna deeply rooted in the history of the city
Visit the impressive baroque staterooms in both palaces
Discover the astonishing private art collection of the Prince von und zu Liechtenstein that contains major works of European art spanning five centuries
Enjoy the wonderful garden oasis of the GARDEN PALACE
The Liechtenstein CITY PALACE and GARDEN PALACE are exclusively accessible via public or private guided tours or exclusive events, giving you and your travel companions a chance to dive deep into the life and history of aristocratic Vienna. You will be given an unforgettable encounter with unique works of art and a collection tradition that spans more than 500 years.
Plan your visit to the palaces: Public guided tours are usually held twice a month, and registration is required. While the tours are in German, English audio guides are available for free. Individual guided tours as part of an exclusive event or group visit can also be arranged in different languages. Book your visit to the palaces on their website.
Conveniently located in the city centre, the Liechtenstein CITY PALACE sits behind the Burgtheater. The Princely House of Liechtenstein, one of Europe’s oldest noble families, used to reside in one of Vienna’s most lavish palaces. The Liechtenstein CITY PALACE was first purchased by Prince Johann Adam Andreas I von Liechtenstein at the end of the 17th century and transformed into the city’s foremost example of High Baroque architecture.
Today, you can walk two floors of breath-taking staterooms: silk wall coverings pop in saturated blues and reds, elaborate gilding covers almost every inch of the ballroom, and heavy chandeliers dangle from Baroque stucco ceilings.
Your guided tour acts as an opulent showcase of the Princely Family’s economic power in Austria, which hasn’t subsided. Between 2008 and 2013, the House of Liechtenstein undertook the capital’s most comprehensive restoration in recent years. Roughly 150,000 pieces of gold leaf were used to refurbish the palace’s gilding, weighing in at 3.3 pounds (1.5 kilograms).
Even the palace flooring tells stories of Viennese history. Famed cabinet maker Michael Thonet installed his precious parquet in the 19th century, and today they are conserved by precise humidity and temperature regulation.
Discover the Princely Family’s outstanding private art collection
Another rarity can be found on the CITY PALACE’s walls: A selection of masterpieces from the private art collection of the Prince von und zu Liechtenstein. Neoclassical and Biedermeier masterpieces by Amerling and Waldmüller round out the stylistic mix, which was typical in 1800s Austria.
Tucked away just north of Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse boulevard, a secret palace hideout sits among the 9th district: the Liechtenstein GARDEN PALACE.
The palace, named for its manicured gardens, is one of Vienna’s most opulent and under-the-radar destinations for lavish Baroque architecture. Prince Johann Adam Andreas I von Liechtenstein commissioned the palace around 1700 and took inspiration from the lush imagery of classical Italian art.
Discover the princely private art and literature collection
One of the first things you encounter on the ground level of the palace is the Golden Carriage inside the Sala Terrena. Underneath a frescoed arcade hall, the opulent French Rococo vehicle shines in illustrious gilding. The carriage is part of the Princely Collection, which finds a fitting home inside the astonishing palace. Works by van Dyck, Raphael, Rembrandt, and Rubens are on view one level above, along with the Badminton Cabinet, the most expensive piece of furniture ever auctioned.
Another highlight on the second floor is Hercules Hall, a ballroom-sized space with ceiling frescoes depicting the Greek hero’s admittance to Olympus. The ceiling was completed between 1704 and 1708 and has been preserved to its original Baroque colouration— marvel at the marble columns and the larger-than-life paintings along the walls.
Finally, visit the palace’s Princely Library, a grand, wood-panelled room holding around 100,000 volumes from the 15th to the 19th centuries
Walking across the part-French-Baroque, part-English garden towards the pale-yellow complex, the Mediterranean influence will be apparent. The stunning garden is open throughout the day to visitors and locals who want to relax in flower beds.
Enjoy a Princely wine-tasting at the Hofkellerei
What better way to end the exploration of the two palaces than immersing with a few glasses of wine in an oasis of calm? Enjoy the unique atmosphere, delicious wines and culinary delights in the wine bar at the Liechtenstein GARDEN PALACE.
Discover a selection of the finest wines from the Hofkellerei of the Prince of Liechtenstein and well-known friends, selected culinary specialities, excellent coffee and homemade pastries.
