Palais Salm

Lost in the grandeur of Vienna, a hidden gem awaits. Palais Salm stands proudly in the 3rd district of Vienna, Landstraße, on Salmgasse 2. Palais Salm whispers tales of intriguing history and architectural splendor. Originally, the grounds held a seminary, owned by Cardinal Christoph Anton von Migazzi. Then in 1812, architect Louis de Montoyer constructed stables for Palais Rasumofsky on the very spot. Yet, this structure was short-lived. By 1828, the stables were demolished. A new vision emerged under the guidance of architect Alois Ignaz Göll. Leonhart Waller and Wenzel Emanuel Brandler von Brandenstein commissioned this elegant Palais. It was completed in 1832. An expansion in 1851 added a charming pavilion facing Rasumofskygasse. Palais Salm changed hands in 1856. Hugo Karl Eduard Salm-Reifferscheidt purchased it from Archduke Carl. Further enhancements followed in 1863, reflecting Prince Salm’s personal touch. The Salm-Reifferscheidt family retained ownership until 1902. Publisher Max Herzig then acquired the Palais. He crowned the pavilion with a striking glass wintergarten, adding a modern touch. The Palais continued its journey through time, passing to industrialist Rudolf Thorn in 1923. Then to Isidor Kreisberg, owner of Galician coal mines, in 1929. Kreisberg adapted the interior, dividing the grand spaces into apartments. Unfortunately, he was dispossessed in 1938. Palais Salm remarkably survived World War II unscathed. Today, it remains in private hands, owned by the architectural firm Marschalek. Palais Salm’s architectural charm blends classicism with a touch of Biedermeier. A small courtyard greets visitors from Salmgasse. The true splendor reveals itself in the garden façade. A three-story, slightly projecting central risalit dominates the view. Four Corinthian columns support a second-floor balcony, adorned with a stone balustrade. Giant pilasters mirror the columns, connecting the three-part portal to the first floor. Arched doorways and windows, accented with radiating rustication, grace the ground floor. A triangular pediment crowns the cornice. Two flying geniuses holding a clock embellish the tympanum. Inside, many original features have been adapted over time. Some ceiling paintings remain, though currently covered. The staircase boasts intricate woodwork, hinting at the Palais’s former grandeur. While not open to the public, Palais Salm’s exterior offers a glimpse into Vienna’s rich history and architectural legacy.