Besides monuments and museums, there are many buildings throughout the city that belonged to wealthy Jewish families. Many of these buildings are actually small palaces built right on the Ringstrasse and are known as Ringstraßenpalais (Ringstrasse Palaces). You can tour along the street and marvel at the great wealth that the Jews of Vienna had before all their property was confiscated and they were deported for extermination during the Nazi era. We have compiled a list of several beautiful buildings that were under Jewish ownership and are still standing on the Ringstrasse today.
Palais Wertheim
The famous architect Heinrich Freiherr von Ferstel built this impressive building for the Austro-Jewish businessman Franz von Wertheim. He constructed the building between 1864 and 1868, and in 1910, they converted it into a residential and office building.In 1977, the first McDonald’s branch in Austria opened on its ground floor. The upper floors of the building have magnificent event halls and conference rooms.
Address: Canovagasse 1-5, 1010 Wien
Palais Gutmann
This magnificent building was constructed between 1869 and 1871 by the architect Carl Tietz in the new Viennese Renaissance style. The house was used by the wealthy Gutmann family, who were known for their business in the coal trade. The building itself is impressively beautiful, with 5 floors and wonderfully decorated rooms. The rooms feature impressive paintings, decorated wooden ceilings, marble fireplaces, wall decorations, and more. The palace was confiscated from its owner in 1938 because he was Jewish.
The palace building is located right next to the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel and is owned by the real estate company Austria Immobilien GmbH.
Address: Schubertring 5-7, 1010 Wien
Palais Lieben-Auspitz
This building was erected between 1873 and 1874 for the Auspitz family and was later inhabited by the Lieben family. It is a 5-story building designed in the Neo-Baroque style. At the time of its construction, large parts of the Ringstrasse did not even exist, for example, the university building and the new building of the Vienna National Theatre.
In the past, the palace housed a Viennese cultural and events center called the Salon of Berta Zuckerkandl, which served as a meeting place for intellectuals and artists like Gustav Klimt, Gustav Mahler, and Arthur Schnitzler. Today, the famous Café Landtmann is located on the ground floor of the palace.
Address: Universitätsring 4, 1010 Wien
Palais Ephrussi
At the end of the 19th century, the famous architect Theophil von Hansen built this palace on the Ringstrasse, right opposite the Votivkirche (Votive Church). He created the impressive structure for the members of the Ephrussi family, a wealthy Jewish family from Russia involved in banking and oil. The building’s style is Neo-Renaissance, which was popular at the time.In 1938, Nazi officers confiscated the palace from the Ephrussi family and used it for the offices of the Nazi party. During the bombings of World War II, explosions severely damaged the palace and destroyed parts of it. After the war, the surviving members of the Ephrussi family managed to get the palace back, but since they had no intention of returning to Austria, they sold it for a price much lower than its value – $50,000.
Address: Universitätsring 14/Schottengasse, 1010 Wien
Palais Epstein
At the end of the 19th century, the wealthy Jewish banker Gustav Ritter von Epstein commissioned the construction of this impressive palace building. The architect who built it was Theophil Freiherr von Hansen, who also designed the nearby Austrian Parliament building and University of Vienna. The 5-story building is designed in the Neo-Renaissance style. In 1876, financial difficulties forced Epstein to sell it to an English gas company. The palace continued to change ownership and served for 10 years after the war as the headquarters of the Soviets. It was later used for a time as a branch of the Austrian Academy of Music and Arts. Today, the palace is part of the Austrian Parliament. In its basement, there is an exhibition about the history of the palace and its owners. It is also possible to join guided tours in English inside the palace.
Guided tour of Palais Epstein
Tours take place on Saturdays at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Participation is free. The tour lasts about 50 minutes.
It is advisable to contact in advance to ensure a tour is taking place at your desired time. Contact email: tours@parlament.gv.at
Meeting point for the tour: Inside the Parliament.
Address: Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring 3, 1010 Wien
Palais Todesco
Architects Ludwig Förster and Theophil Freiherr von Hansen designed and constructed this palace between 1861–1864 for the wealthy Jewish bankers Eduard and Moritz von Todesco, using the conventional Renaissance style of that period. The palace is located on the Ringstrasse, right opposite the Vienna State Opera, on the site where one of the old city gates once stood. People consider the palace’s ballroom one of the most beautiful among private event halls in Vienna. During World War II, Nazi authorities confiscated the building, and bombings damaged it. After the war ended, it served as the offices of one of the major Austrian political parties – ÖVP.
Address: Kärntner Strasse 51, 1010 Wien
Palais Königswarter
The Jewish banker Jonas von Königswarter built this palace in 1862. It is located near the Vienna State Opera. Jonas was the head of the Austrian National Bank and president of the Jewish community in Vienna. The emperor knighted Jonas in 1860 and granted him the rank of baron in 1870.
Address: Kärntner Ring 4, 1010 Wien
Read more about the Jewish community in Vienna and other Jewish places throughout the city. If you would like to stay near the beautiful Ringstrasse, you can read about a variety of recommended accommodations near the Ringstrasse.
