Palais Augarten

The Palais Augarten in Vienna's 2nd district, Leopoldstadt, is a historic building that today serves as the residence, rehearsal space, and secondary school of the Vienna Boys' Choir. Originally built toward the end of the 17th century by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, it passed into the hands of Emperor Joseph II in 1780 and remained Habsburg property into the 20th century. During that time it served as a venue for festivities attended by famous artists such as Richard Wagner and Franz Liszt. After suffering severe damage in World War II, the property was restored and handed over to the Boys' Choir in 1948. Today the palace, like the entire Augarten park, belongs to the Republic of Austria and is located near the porcelain manufactory in Schloss Augarten.