Starhemberg Villa (former)

"Once one of the most important places of interest in Ischl!" writes Marie-Theres Arnbom in her book The Villas of Bad Ischl (Die Villen von Bad Ischl).

The splendid villa was built in 1838 by Count Wilhelm von Sickingen zu Hohenburg. His daughter Sophie inherited the villa. In 1891, she married Prince Camillo von Starhemberg. From that point on the villa was called Starhemberg Villa. The villa was beautifully located surrounded by a wonderful park.

In 1942, the villa was administered by the Reich Governor of Upper Danube. Only a while after the war, the villa was given back to its owner, Camillo’s grandson Count Georg von Starhemberg. The villa served as a war victim home. In 1957, the local high school moved into the villa (many including the author of this text have fond memories of this time). Count Georg sold the villa to the Republic of Austria in 1969.

Then the 1970s arrived and this was a time in which many historic buildings of Bad Ischl were taken down (see also Strauss Villa). In 1974, the villa was leveled and a new school complex was built on the whole area where the villa and the park had been.