Marvelous isn’t it? This is the Palais Erzherzog Carl Ludwig. Its history is a fascinating tapestry woven through centuries. Initially a Baroque palace built in 1780 by Franz Freiherr von Prandau it was designed by Adalbertus Hild. Architect Franz Wipplinger later added two side wings in 1799 creating a courtyard and a street-facing section.
The Sachsen-Coburg-Kohary family then purchased it. It served as their residence until the death of Maria Antonie Gabriele von Kohary in 1862. The street-facing part was expanded with a second floor and stables in 1864. Archduke Carl Ludwig acquired the Palais in 1865. He commissioned Heinrich Ferstl to redesign it between 1872 and 1873 under the supervision of Eduard Frauenfeld. Sadly the street-facing section was destroyed during World War II. It was later demolished and replaced with a modern building.
Look closely at the courtyard facade. You see its central section? A flat projection with a balustraded porch at the base. A segmental pediment adorned with the Habsburg-Lorraine coat of arms crowns it. The high roofline is striking. It features a balustrade with putti and dormer windows on the side wings. All sections share a banded base with rectangular windows and keystones. The main floor windows feature straight pediments. The central window however boasts a segmental pediment layered impost blocks and simple decorative parapets.
The garden side also features a central projection with a balcony simpler decor though. The balcony room inside has a magnificent Neo-Renaissance style wooden ceiling. The grand hall is a masterpiece of stucco lustro. It has a beautiful mirrored ceiling and stucco work in the style of around 1700. Notice the allegories of the four elements in the spandrels putti in the central panels and reclining female figures in the oval panels. These are exquisite details often overlooked.
The Palais Erzherzog Carl Ludwig isn’t just stone and mortar. It’s a living testament to Viennese architectural history. It showcases a blend of Baroque and Neo-Renaissance styles. The survival of the courtyard section despite the war damage is testament to its enduring appeal. The Palais continues to resonate with the elegance and grandeur of its past. Its story continues to unfold even today.