Hermesvilla Castle

Emperor Franz Joseph I decided in the summer of 1881 to build what would become the Hermesvilla, intending it as a gift for his wife, Empress Elisabeth. The building, initially named "Villa Waldruh," was constructed between 1882 and 1886 according to the plans of architect Karl Freiherr von Hasenauer. By 1885 at the latest, it was named "Villa Hermes," after a Hermes statue commissioned by Empress Elisabeth herself from Berlin sculptor Ernst Herter, which was placed in the garden. After its completion in 1886, which included ancillary buildings like a riding school, the imperial couple regularly spent several weeks here in late spring until Elisabeth's death in 1898. The villa was early equipped with modern amenities, including electric lighting for the access road and a telephone connection to Vienna. After severe damage during the Russian occupation (1945–1955), interest in the villa was rekindled by a Walt Disney film in 1963. Thanks to private initiatives, a comprehensive renovation took place between 1968 and 1974. Since 1971, the Hermesvilla has served as an exhibition venue for the Wien Museum.

Hermesvilla Palace is located at an elevation of approximately 302 meters above sea level in Vienna-Hietzing, in the district of Vienna City, in the region of Vienna, Austria.

Today, the Hermesvilla houses a museum, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the former imperial chambers. The interiors are adorned with paintings by artists such as Hans Makart, Gustav Klimt, and Viktor Tilgner. On the first floor, Empress Elisabeth's private rooms are on display, including her gymnasium and bedroom with original furnishings. The former stables, with their original equipment, are also preserved and were used by the Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School until 2005. A modern sculpture by Ulrike Truger, depicting Empress Elisabeth, stands in front of the small palace.

• Schloss Baumgarten (Palace), approx. 3.7 km away
• Miller-von-Aichholz-Schlössel (Palace), approx. 3.7 km away
• Hofmannsthal-Schlössl (Palace), approx. 4.2 km away
• Schloss Rodaun (Palace), approx. 4.4 km away