The history of Villa Schönthaler
The Semmering style
Villa Schönthaler was the first villa in the unique European villa ensemble on the Semmering in 1882. It is named after Franz Schönthaler, who was a court sculptor for the Austro-Hungarian royal family and is viewed as a major contributor to the architecture of the villas in Semmering.
The nickname “wooden box”
Villa Schönthaler was originally much smaller than it is now. As a result, it was given the nickname “Holzschachtel” (wooden box) at the time. When Franz Schönthaler sold the villa to the Seybl industrial family in 1890, several expansions followed.
The Semmering Railway
Since 1854, the Semmering has been directly accessible by train from Vienna. Planned by Carl Ritter von Ghega, the Semmering Railway was the first standard-gauge mountain railway in Europe and is still considered a milestone in railway history. In 1998, it was even designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1967 – 1981
The celebrated actor Maxi Böhm managed the Villa Schönthaler – affectionately known at the time as the ‘Park Villa’ – as a guesthouse between 1967 and 1981. Soon after, he dedicated himself fully to the stage once more, remaining an ensemble member of Vienna’s renowned Theater in der Josefstadt until his passing in 1982.
The first villa in Semmering
Already in 1882, Villa Schönthaler was the first villa of the one-of-a-kind ensemble of villas in Semmering, and was named after court sculptor Franz Schönthaler.
Franz Schönthaler was a court sculptor for the Austro-Hungarian royal family and is viewed as a major contributor to the architecture of the villas in Semmering. He picked up the interest in farmhouse architecture prevalent at his time and, together with the famous Ringstrasse architect Franz Neumann, implemented the latest research results in structural engineering from the Swiss professor Ernst Georg Gladbach in the farmhouse architecture in Semmering. He knew Semmering inside out, as he was an avid hiker and an alpinist. For this reason, he also knew where best to position a new villa or hotel. “For in the resort town of Semmering, there is more sunshine, less wind, less mist, a milder climate, and a fantastic view!” he often said.
Franz Schönthaler was also friends with Friedrich Julius Schüler and they acquired property together in Semmering.
Even back in those days, there was the romantic desire to escape the hectic pace of normal life in natural surroundings. This is why nature was captured like a theatre backdrop during construction of Villa Schönthaler. The villa is orientated such that one gets the best views of the surrounding landscape without any effort.
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