Grafenhof

“Lost in time,” a gentleman muttered, adjusting his monocle as he gazed at the Grafenhof. “Or perhaps, found.” We stand before the Grafenhof, a striking building nestled in the heart of Vienna’s pedestrian center. Its golden railings and columns create a stark contrast against the surrounding historical architecture. The Grafenhof stands proudly on Graben street, opposite the plague column. Its prominent location makes it a landmark on the bustling boulevard connecting St. Stephen’s Cathedral to the Hofburg Palace. The name “Grabenhof” is even emblazoned on its facade, ensuring no one misses its presence. The history of this site is extensive, stretching back to the 14th century. A Renaissance-style building, the Arkadenhaus, once graced this spot in the late 16th century. This was later replaced by the current Grafenhof, completed in 1876. True to Viennese tradition, a coffee house quickly became a tenant. The architects behind the Grafenhof were Otto Wagner and Otto Thienemann. Locals, perhaps inspired by its prominent columns, nicknamed the building the Säulenhaus, or “house of columns.” The Grafenhof has witnessed its fair share of history. It served as a bargaining chip for monasteries and dukes, housed holding cells for 16th-century courts, and even provided a home for the company that published Schubert’s music. In 1804, Francis I’s declaration of himself as Emperor of Austria was announced from one of the Grafenhof’s balconies. More recently, the Grafenhof housed offices for the Nazis. Today, upscale stores occupy its ground floor, facing the vibrant Graben street.