Palais Esterházy

The Palais Esterházy in Vienna's Innere Stadt (Old Town) is a historic ensemble of buildings that grew over the centuries, through the merging of several houses, into one of the city's most prestigious noble residences. Originally made up of three plots of land that passed to the princely line of the Esterházy family in the 17th century, the complex was rebuilt beginning in 1687 under Paul I, Prince Esterházy. Completed in 1695, the building left a lasting mark on the cityscape and was expanded and remodeled several times in later decades to meet the growing demands of the noble house.

Architecturally, the main facade on Wallnerstrasse impresses with its Baroque-Classicist style and giant Ionic pilasters. Inside, you'll find two courtyards and a series of significant rooms, including several salons, the large and small ancestral galleries, and a dining room with an elaborate Empire-style stove. Particularly noteworthy is the Vieux-laque Room with its Chinese lacquer panels. A cultural highlight is the chapel, consecrated in 1699, which houses Baroque altars and an organ from around 1800. The chapel was once a place of work for Joseph Haydn and, while it is still consecrated today, it is no longer used for religious services.

Beyond the historic living quarters, the palace today also houses the well-known Esterházykeller, whose wine cellar dates back to the earliest history of the property. The restaurant, which probably opened in 1808, has largely preserved its rustic character to this day. While the palace's rooms are now rented out to various companies and organizations, the building remains an impressive testament to Viennese history and to the splendor of the Esterházy dynasty.