Wagenburg (museum)

The Imperial Carriage Museum is located on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna Hietzing Museum, can be found in the gems from the fleet of the Austrian imperial family as well known noble houses, especially of Thurn and Taxis. The museum, a department of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, one of the most important collections of courtly splendor and utility vehicles.

History of the Collection

Towards the end of the Austro -Hungarian monarchy in the imperial stables (now the Museum Quarter ) housed kk Hof - wagons covered approximately 640 vehicles of all kinds with them the daily transport of several hundred people and many needed for the yard goods and items was accomplished. The management of the vehicles was up to the Oberststallmeister Office, whose staff was composed of around 500 people.

Not only the emperor and his family were entitled to the use of Hofwagen, but also the dignitaries and officials to the court actors and the precious boy. Accordingly, great was the range of vehicles that ranged from the Baroque splendor - bodies over Gala, leisure and everyday car of the 19th and early 20th century to easy transport companions or modern automobiles.

With the collapse of the Austro- Hungarian Empire, the imperial fleet lost its previous function. Part of the car was far heritage benefits after 1918 of the officials of the newly founded Republic of Austria; Some vehicles had to be delivered to the other successor states, while others were sold to private individuals to fill the empty state coffers. The majority of the fellow was brought, however, in a commercial transport company, the " Federal wagon mode", a. The numerous Victoria, my lords and coupes that were used by the members of the court in everyday life and thus were a characteristic part of the Viennese street scene, went by - as well as the stock of useful and work vehicles - lost.

After the dissolution of Oberststallmeister Office in 1922, is a constructive historically significant and therefore worth preserving rest of the Hoffuhrparks was handed over together with some examples of modern car design and the associated harness and liveries the Kunsthistorisches Museum ( KHM). It was initially to 90 vehicles, some more came in later years added yet. Also in 1922, the museum had to the licensed carts leave their traditional place in the stables, as these premises were now rented the Vienna Messe AG, who called the building decades Fair Palace.

Since in the Hofburg complex were not sufficiently large halls available, the objects were moved to the former Winter Riding School of Schönbrunn Palace. 1947, the wagons of the Directorate of Weapons collection isolated (now Collection of Arms and armory ) of the KHM, which she had assumed since 1922, and established as an independent collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, with its own management, academic staff and conservators.

In November 2001, the last remaining farm automobile, the built in 1914 by the Austrian firm Graf & Stift later " Kaiserwagen " returned in permanent loan from the former producers in the stock returns. Emperor Charles I had taken him at his departure from the Republican German Austria in March 1919 by train to Switzerland with them; later Graf & Stift it had purchased at an auction. 2007 lent Princess Gloria of Thurn and Taxis 17 of their coaches and carriages of the museum.

Components of the collection

The Carriage Museum houses over 5,000 objects, which mostly date from the period from the Baroque period to the end of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Of the 161 cars or carrying devices of the wagons come 101 pieces from the royal stables of the Vienna Court and 50 pieces of fleet Austrian noble houses. In the Schauhallen the wagons around 60 vehicles are on display. The collection is divided into the following groups:

  • Carriages Gala cars ( imperial carriage, Coronation bodies, Gala berlins, Carousel, hearses )
  • Everyday car ( town car, touring car )
  • Recreational vehicles ( garden cart, Selbstkutschierwagen, hunting vehicles, children's carriages )
  • Commercial Vehicles ( Pferdeabrichtwagen, economy cars, fire trucks )
  • Slide
  • Litters, sedan chairs
  • Automobile
  • Harnesses, saddles, saddle cloths ...
  • Paintings, graphics
Thurn und Taxis Imperial Coach Die Presse
810140
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