Imperial Villa
Imperial Park
Imperial Park
The historic building was built in 1834 by the Viennese notary public J.A. Eltz. Prince Klemenz von Metternich spent his vacation in the villa in 1843 when he was Austrian foreign minister. In 1850, Dr. Eduard Mastalier, saline physician in Ischl, bought the villa, which he sold to Archduchess Sophie (née Princess of Bavaria) in 1853. The villa became used as summer residence by the imperial family, who also renovated and expanded it. This is the origin of the classical elements of the villa as well as when the villa took on its current shape.
In 1854, Archduchess Sophie gave the villa as a wedding present to her son Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth (“Sissi”). This is how Ischl became the beloved summer residence of the imperial family. Franz Joseph immersed himself in his hunting passion, while Empress Sissi loved to go for walks and hikes.
Ischl was the “center of the world” for many years during the summer months. History was made here. On 28 July 1914, Franz Joseph signed the declaration of war against Serbia and the “To my people” manifest. Two days later, Franz Joseph left Ischl, and never returned.
His daughter Archduchess Marie Valerie inherited the property. Today, some of her Habsburg-Lothringen descendants live in the villa, which is open to the public.
