Hermesvilla, Vienna: Imperial Retreat in Lainzer Tiergarten

Emperor Franz Joseph I decided to build the Villa Hermés, originally named 'Villa Waldruh', in the summer of 1881. The intention was to encourage his wife, Empress Elisabeth, to spend more time in Vienna. The villa was designed by architect Karl Freiherr von Hasenauer.

The construction of Villa Hermés, designed by Karl Freiherr von Hasenauer, lasted from 1882 until 1886. All surrounding buildings, including riding facilities and stables for Empress Elisabeth's horses, were finished in 1886.

In 1885, during the construction period, the decision was made to rename the building from 'Villa Waldruh' to 'Villa Hermés'. This name references a statue of Hermes located in the villa's garden.

Empress Elisabeth commissioned the sculptor Ernst Herter from Berlin to create the sculpture titled 'Hermés the Guardian'. She instructed that it be placed in the garden of the villa, referencing the villa's eventual name.

From 1887 until Empress Elisabeth's assassination in 1898, the imperial couple regularly spent time at the villa each year during late spring, with stays varying from a few days to a couple of weeks.

The street leading to the Hermesvilla was one of the first in Vienna to feature electric lighting. Additionally, the villa itself was among the initial buildings in Vienna to be equipped with a telephone connection.

During the post-World War II Soviet occupation of Vienna, from 1945 to 1955, the Hermesvilla was looted by Soviet forces, leading to neglect and a period of poor condition.

Interest in the Hermesvilla was rekindled by the 1963 Disney movie 'Miracle of the White Stallions'. This spurred a private initiative that motivated Austrian authorities to undertake a renovation of the villa, which occurred from 1968 to 1974.

The first exhibition at the Hermesvilla opened in 1971, serving as Austria's contribution to the 'World Hunt Exhibition' held in Budapest. Since then, the villa has been used for special exhibitions.

Today, the Hermesvilla is utilized by the Vienna Museum for special exhibitions focusing on cultural history. It is noted for its art, natural setting, and connection to Habsburg culture and the 'Sisi Myth'.

The interior of the Hermesvilla features murals by renowned artists including Hans Makart, Gustav Klimt, and Victor Tilgner. These artworks are considered an integral part of the villa's interior design.

The first floor includes the Empress's private rooms, featuring a 'Turnzimmer' (gymnasium). This room was equipped for exercise with a balance beam, chin-up bar, and rings, and decorated with murals in the Pompeian style by Eisenmenger, Charlemont, and Falkensteiner.

The Empress's bedroom contains preserved historic objects, notably a large Baroque 'state bed' that once belonged to Maria Theresa. The bedroom's murals are inspired by Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and were created by Hans Makart.

A sculpture titled 'Elisabeth' by Ulrike Truger was commissioned in 1998 and installed near the Hermesvilla in 2001, later moved to the villa in 2006. Made of Carrara marble, it reflects themes of duty, escape, and freedom, exploring the Empress's inner feelings.

The original stables, built for Empress Elisabeth's horses, are located in the left wing of the courtyard. Much of the original stable equipment, including wall partitions for box and tie stalls, remains in place today.

From the 1950s to 2005, the stables were used as a summer retreat for the Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School. The stallions enjoyed a change of routine with daily rides in the surrounding Tiergarten.