Lichtenstein Palace is one of three palaces in Vienna owned by the Liechtenstein family, one of the Vienna branches of the Imperial Nobility and one of the richest families in Europe. It  was built on lands purchased by Prince Johann Adam Andreas von Liechtenstein from Count Weikhard von Auersperg in 1687. In a competition held to find an architect for the palace, Domenico Egidio Rossi won, but was replaced in 1692 by Domenico Martinello. The building was designed as a Pallazzo in Villa, a blend of the Austrian and Italian Baroque style that was conservative in its layout, pleasing the Prince.  The construction on the palace began in 1700, when it was built in two parts, similar to the concept of the Belvedere Palace, whereby the palace itself stands on the southern edge of a garden, balanced by a building of similar size and architecture housing administrative courts on the opposite, northern end of the garden. The interior decorations include ceiling frescoes by Marcantonio Franceschini and Antonio Bellucci. In the Herkulessaal or main hall, the fresco was painted by Andrea Pozzo, his last work. Austria’s most famous Baroque painter, Johann Michael Rottmayr painted the fresco on the first floor, contrary to the initial intention of the Prince to hire only Italian painters.  On the other hand, the sculptures and stucco work were all by Italian artists, the stucco by Santino Bussi and the statues by Giovanni Giuliani. Originally, the gardens of the palace were in the classical Baroque design, later remodeled in a neo-classicist style in 1820 by Joseph Kornhäusl. Prior to the opening of the Liechtenstein Palace as a museum in 2004, the building’s interior and exterior were totally renovated. A grand entrance hall showcasing a gold-encrusted historic carriage*, elegant staircases, a stunning library with a huge collection of rare, leather-bound books is open to public view. On the piano nobile, room after grand room house only a portion of the Liechtenstein family’s large and expanding collection of Baroque art. The permanent exhibition spans four centuries from Renaissance (14th to 17th centuries) to the Biedermeir era (1815 to 1848), including paintings by Peter Paul Rubens as well as some Renaissance furniture. Henry and I were pleased to view the architecture as well as the art that was exhibited in the many rooms of the palace, where photographs were allowed of only one item: the Golden Carriage. We were also able to view a special exhibition of Baroque era Porcelain figures that reflected the various costumes, characters, activities, and social behavior of the 18th century Baroque period. A large and extensive exhibition of German and Austrian silver was also on display, with a large table set for a dinner party as the focal point of the exhibition.  It was also possible to pace our viewing of this palace of art and architecture with lunch at the elegant restaurant, Rubens, located in the forecourt of the museum grounds, where I tasted Austrian style snecken (snails) served in a butter sauce au gratin, absolutely delicious ... a gilded lilly, the best ever!

*Note: The carriage ... Prince Wenzel I von Liechtenstein (1696/1748-1772) was held in high esteem by the imperial family both as a diplomat and connoisseur. For his official arrival as ambassador in Paris he engaged the best carriage builders to make him a number of state coaches, including the famous Golden Carriage, a luxury vehicle that reflected the latest artistic and technical achievements of the age. This was the carriage in which he made his celebrated entrance at the Hotel de Ville in Paris and again at Versailles. In 1760, as a token of highest esteem, Maria Theresa (1717-1780)  entrusted the Prince with the task of escorting Isabella of Parma, the bride of the later emperor Joseph II from Parma, Italy to Vienna, Austria in this very carriage.

PHOTOS:  Top: Liechtenstein Palace, Vienna. Bottom: The Golden Carriage, displayed in the grand entry hall inside the palace.