Clan Rising
Stallburg today

Austria · Restored

Stallburg

The Stallburg is a Renaissance-style building in central Vienna that forms part of the Hofburg palace complex. Built c.1558–1565, it later housed Archduke Leopold Wilhelm's painting collection and served as the imperial stables; it was heavily damaged in 1945 and faithfully restored in 1947–48 and today houses the Lipizzaner horses of the Spanish Riding School.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1675

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1675

What Stallburg looked like in its prime.

Long rectangular three-storey Renaissance urban palace under a very steep hipped roof pierced by small dormer windows; pale rendered façades framed by grey stone quoins and horizontal string courses; symmetrical rows of tall rectangular windows with moulded surrounds; ground floor punctuated by a sequence of arched openings and a large corner entrance arch leading into an inner courtyard; the courtyard contains a central stone fountain with wrought-iron railings; materials are coursed stone and rendered masonry with dark roof tiles.

Its story

The story of Stallburg.

The Stallburg was built around 1558–1565 as a residence for Archduke Maximilian, later Emperor Maximilian II, and stands between Josefsplatz and Michaelerplatz in central Vienna as part of the Hofburg. It is a Renaissance-style building whose name comes from the horses of the imperial family, housed on the ground floor under the reign of Emperor Charles VI.

From 1659 to 1776 the building held the art collection of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm, 1,400 paintings assembled in Brussels, where David Teniers the Younger painted views of his gallery, known as the Stallburg gallery and the core of the later Kunsthistorisches Museum. Heavily damaged in 1945, the Stallburg was faithfully restored in 1947–48 and is still used by the Spanish Riding School, housing its Lipizzaner horses.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1675.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Stallburg, including 2 interiors: stallburg gallery (art gallery room), ground-floor imperial stables. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from MichaelerplatzCorner entrance archInner courtyard with fountainStallburg gallery (art gallery room)Ground-floor imperial stablesView from Reitschulgasse into the yardRoofline and dormers

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Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Stallburg.

Albertina, AustriaMuseumAlbertina0 km awayVienna State Opera house, AustriaOpera houseVienna State Opera house0 km awayVindobona, AustriaAncient siteVindobona0 km away

Questions about Stallburg

What is the history of Stallburg?

Stallburg was built in the mid-16th century as a residence for Archduke Maximilian, later Emperor Maximilian II. From 1659 to 1776 it housed Archduke Leopold Wilhelm’s art collection, known as the Stallburg gallery. It later became imperial stables, was heavily damaged by bombing in 1945, and was faithfully restored in 1947–48.

What is inside Stallburg?

Inside Stallburg are the Stallburg gallery, an art gallery room, and the ground-floor imperial stables. The building also surrounds an inner courtyard with a central fountain and wrought-iron railings. Today, its stables house the Lipizzaner horses of the Spanish Riding School.

Why was Stallburg built, and what was it used for?

Stallburg was built as a residence for Archduke Maximilian, later Emperor Maximilian II. Its use changed over time: it housed Archduke Leopold Wilhelm’s art collection from 1659 to 1776, then became imperial stables. The name refers to the imperial family’s horses, which were housed on the ground floor under Emperor Charles VI.

Where is Stallburg?

Stallburg is in central Vienna, between Josefsplatz and Michaelerplatz, as part of the Hofburg palace complex. It is in Vienna’s Innere Stadt administrative district. The courtyard can be viewed from Reitschulgasse.

When was Stallburg built?

Stallburg was built around 1558–1565, in the mid-16th century. It was commissioned as a residence for Archduke Maximilian, later Emperor Maximilian II. The supplied material does not record a single exact first-raised year.

Who built Stallburg?

Stallburg was commissioned by Archduke Maximilian, later Emperor Maximilian II, and designed by the architect Pietro Ferrabosco. It was erected in the mid-16th century as a residence. The building is Renaissance in style.

What did Stallburg look like in its prime?

Stallburg is a long rectangular, three-storey Renaissance urban palace beneath a very steep hipped roof with small dormer windows. Its pale rendered façades have grey stone quoins, horizontal string courses and symmetrical rows of tall windows. Arched ground-floor openings lead towards an inner courtyard with a central stone fountain.

Is Stallburg still standing or is it a ruin?

Stallburg is still standing and is in restored condition. It was heavily damaged by bombs in 1945 and faithfully restored in 1947–48. Renaissance arches in the courtyard were later uncovered between 1955 and 1960, returning the building to its original condition.

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