Palais Modena

The Palais Modena on Vienna's Herrengasse is a historic building that now serves as the seat of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The history of the property goes back to the 16th century, when it was owned by various noble families, including the Rottals and later the Dietrichsteins. Between 1658 and 1678, the original noble residence was converted into an early Baroque palace under the direction of the architect Dominico Carlone. Later, in 1811, Archduchess Maria Beatrix d'Este, who had been driven out of Milan, acquired the building. Because her daughter became empress, she had the palace remodeled from 1814 according to Neoclassical designs by Alois Pichl and Giacomo Quarenghi in order to reflect the family's high standing. After various private uses and rentals, the palace was sold to the state in 1842 and from then on housed various government offices, including the Imperial and Royal Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the editorial offices of the Wiener Zeitung.

Architecturally, the three-story building today presents itself in a austere Neoclassical style with 18 window bays and two large entrance gates topped by balconies. The facade is divided horizontally by cornices and triangular pediments. Inside, the palace impresses with its stately rooms, whose design is inspired by the ancient world of the gods. Statues of Athena, Diana, and Ceres stand in the stairwell, while the ceiling paintings and reliefs in the halls depict mythological scenes. Particularly noteworthy is the former sala terrena, which was uncovered during the most recent restoration in 2004. The building also houses a newly built chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross and the Blessed Jakob Kern, whose altar cross was created by the artist Arnulf Rainer.

For visitors, the palace offers a glimpse into Vienna's political history, as it has been the scene of important state decisions since the days of the Republic. After being damaged in World War II, the building was rebuilt and had stories added in the 1950s and 1970s to increase the usable floor space. The combination of historic splendor and modern administrative function makes the palace a significant place in the heart of the city, reflecting its changing uses from private noble residence to government ministry.