Hermesvilla

About the museum

Emperor Franz Joseph had the villa built in the imperial hunting grounds of Lainzer Tiergarten for his wife Elisabeth – hoping to keep the travel-loving empress in Vienna more often. Ringstrasse architect Carl von Hasenauer built the country house from 1882 to 1886 following the example of bourgeois villas in southern Vienna. A marble statue of Hermes by Ernst Herter in the garden gave it its name. At the furnishings worked, among others, Hans Makart, young Gustav Klimt and sculptor Viktor Tilgner.

After the end of the monarchy, the hunting grounds including villa passed to state ownership, in the 1930s to the City of Vienna. During occupation after 1945 the building was severely damaged. After extensive repair, the villa was first publicly accessible in 1971 with an exhibition.

Today Hermesvilla is a venue of the Vienna Museum. An exhibition on the first floor shows with photos, plans, original furniture and personal items how the imperial couple lived here away from court ceremony. Highlights are the Empress's bedroom with a state bed from the time of Maria Theresa and wall paintings based on designs by Makart, as well as the gymnasium where Elisabeth pursued her gymnastics.

Highlights

• Empress's bedroom with state bed from Maria Theresa period
• Wall paintings based on designs by Hans Makart
• Gymnasium of Empress Elisabeth
• Statue 'Hermes as Guardian' in garden
• Location in middle of Lainzer Tiergarten

Permanent exhibition

• Ausstellung zur Geschichte der Hermesvilla – Ten rooms on first floor show with original furniture, documents and personal items the private living of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.

Operated by

Wien Museum (Museen der Stadt Wien)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month

Free admission also with Vienna Museum annual card, ICOM card and Culture Pass ('Hunger for Art & Culture'). Children's and family programs are free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: not available
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Not barrier-free: three steps to entrance, the ten exhibition rooms and toilets on first floor accessible only via stairs with 37 steps; no elevator. Rental wheelchair available. Villa only accessible on foot through Lainzer Tiergarten; no dogs allowed there. Exhibition texts only in German.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Occasionally free workshops for children and families according to program. Strollers can be used on ground floor; exhibition on first floor only via stairs, taking along possible on space basis after discussion at cashier.

Getting there & parking

Lainzer Tiergarten is nature reserve: no car access and no cycling; bicycle parking in front of gates.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant Hermes in building. Small selection of shop items at cashier. Cloakroom on ground floor opposite cashier. Free WiFi via network 'Museum'.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The Hermesvilla is offered by Vienna Museum as wedding location. Inquiries: events@wienmuseum.at.

Plan your visit