Hermesvilla

Situated in an idyllic setting in the middle of the former imperial hunting grounds, now Lainzer Tiergarten, is the "Palace of Dreams", as Empress Elisabeth once called her villa. Emperor Francis Joseph gave it to her in the hope of persuading his wife – a keen traveller – to spend more time in Vienna.

It took over five years for the famous Ringstrasse architect Carl von Hasenauer to build the villa, a model for many romantic country houses devised for the haute bourgeoisie. The villa took its name from the statue of "Hermes as Guardian" standing in the garden.

Opening times 25 March to 26 October: Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays 10 am – 6 pm