The history of Conference Center Laxenburg

A Habsburg residence

The history of Conference Center Laxenburg is closely linked to the imperial court. For centuries, it was the most important residence of the Habsburgs apart from Schönbrunn Palace and Hofburg Palace.

Castle theatre

Conference Center Laxenburg is the former castle theatre, where Maria Theresa and her court once took in theatre performances and enjoyed culinary delicacies.

Anecdotes

Did you know that there was a straight connecting road from Laxenburg to Schönbrunn Palace that was often used daily by Empress Maria Theresa? This route was created because the empress often stayed in Laxenburg for weeks at a time and had to travel to Schönbrunn Palace for meetings.

Le nozze di Figaro

In 1786, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera masterpiece Le nozze di Figaro premiered here in the Theatersaal. In 2016, the piece was performed again for the first time at the original venue where it premiered in Laxenburg.

A castle steeped in history

The history of Conference Center Laxenburg is closely linked to the imperial court, and this can still be felt on the premises to this day.

In the days of Maria Theresa, many people, from emperors to commoners, travelled to Laxenburg Castle on the outskirts of Vienna to take part in meetings or events – much to the empress’s delight. For centuries, it was the most important residence of the Habsburgs apart from Schönbrunn Palace and Hofburg Palace.

It was where the most respected generals conferred in the former reception rooms of the castle and the event spaces of today’s Conference Center Laxenburg – and where parts of Europe’s history were decided.

1753

The castle theatre and dining hall were built according to the plans of Nicolo Pacassi.

1756

The dining hall was located on the square of the former House of Sinzendorf, which became imperial property. The interior Ovaler Saal impresses guests with a ceiling fresco by Vinzenz Fischer. The walls are divided by architectural murals and show “Putti auf der Falkenjagd” (“Putti on a Falcon Hunt”).

1980

The Republic of Austria and the provinces of Vienna and Lower Austria transformed the theatre into a unique conference centre as part of the renovation of the dilapidated castle.

Anecdotes surrounding Laxenburg

The history of Conference Center Laxenburg is closely linked to the imperial court, and this can still be felt on the premises today. There are also a few tales related to Conference Center Laxenburg and the municipality of Laxenburg that are still remembered to this day. Laxenburg is a market town steeped in history, and its close connection to the imperial court was often displayed in the houses and palaces.

The Middle Ages and Laxenburg

In the supposedly dark Middle Ages, life in Laxenburg was so progressive that a separate place was built to observe the animals. Albrecht was not only a very level-headed ruler, he was also versatile and progressive. He set up a zoo here long before the zoo in Schönbrunn Palace that still exists today. The zoo not only included enclosures and cages for various animal species, but also had a handsome fish pond. Important first studies and extensive first literature were created here in Laxenburg.

The most extraordinary visitor of Laxenburg

The most extraordinary resident of Laxenburg in 1402 was a leopard. The animal was a gift of the Venetian Republic and was brought to the zoo of Laxenbug under a lot of attention and of 35 strong men closely guarded. The small menagerie had become particularly attractive due to the exotic big cat. On high holidays and as a reward, selected personalities were allowed to visit the menagerie.

The first imperial bathing facility

The first imperial bathing facility was built in Laxenburg – it was the so-called bathing tower. An independent building that was connected to the main castle by a bridge. The free-standing, insulated building was probably the first bathroom in a stately palace. If you consider that only Empress Zita had an independent bathroom installed in Schönbrunn Palace, you can see how progressive the construction of the sanitary unit has been.

Laxenburg in the 15th century

Laxenburg Castle was already one of the most beautiful buildings in Europe in the 15th century. Through his preference for a domestic life, Albrecht had not only paid attention to the defensive design. The castle was exceptional in its interior and numerous works of art embellished all interiors. In 1438 the nobleman Pero Tafur, a high nobleman from far Castile, paid a visit to Laxenburg. He reported back home: “Laxenburg is one of the most magnificent houses that I have ever seen on my long trips around the world!”

The palace grounds as the largest market

The park of Laxenburg has been the largest marketplace for cattle once a year. By imperial decree, cattle traders were sent to Hungary to shop on a grand scale. They brought the newly acquired herds to Laxenburg. The animals were solemnly consecrated on the Sunday after the service and afterwards the healthy oxen were available for sale. The buyers for these famous markets came from far away because they had a particularly good reputation. However, you had to shop on a large scale. The new owners then brought their animals in small units of around 50 towards the Alpine foothills.

Renouncing Spain

The mighty emperor Karl VI, the father of the later empress Maria Theresia, had waived his right to rule in Spain in Laxenburg. You have to imagine what that meant: Spain was not only a very large country, it was also rich and had enormous mineral resources. Emperor Charles VI had prepared everything so well. The so-called pragmatic sanction should have ensured the succession to the throne for his daughter. But not everyone kept their promises. And so the elderly ruler in the Old Castle of Laxenburg had to accept with a heavy heart that domination in Spain was now at an end. A sad summit in 1725.

The castle where the walls have no ears

Laxenburg Palace used to be called “the palace where the walls have no ears”. Emperor Josef II met his nephew Franz in 1784 for a top secret meeting in Laxenburg. Laxenburg has always been a particularly secretive place. The childless Josef II had decided to bring his nephew, who lived in Florence, to the Austrian court and to train him as his kind of apprentice to his successor. The later Emperor Franz II / I experienced this historically sustainable decision in Laxenburg. From that point on, his life was new.

Construction of the new castle

A young woman, namely Empress Maria Theresia, had built the new Laxenburg Palace. The fragmented old castle had been too small for a long time and the room layout was no longer adequate. That is why the innovative monarch systematically had bought all the houses opposite the parish church and made room for a new building. Among these houses was the so-called Blue Court, which also gave its name to the castle building that has been preserved to this day.

The architect

The famous court architect Nicolo Pacassi was commissioned to build the new Blue Court.Pacassi was a superstar of his time! His ideas were considered groundbreaking, innovative and international.He built a unique castle in Laxenburg that delighted all visitors. A visitor should never leave Laxenburg again without reporting on the splendor of the Habsburg castles.

The first commuter

There was a straight connecting road from Laxenburg to Schönbrunn, which was often used daily by none other than Her Majesty Empress Maria Theresa. The structural connection of the most important residences was created so quickly because Empress Maria Theresia liked to stay in Laxenburg for weeks and had to travel to Schönbrunn for meetings with the carriage. For example, meetings of the State Council were the reason for an imperial commuter trip. Later, Maria Theresa has gone over to hold audiences in Laxenburg. She gave her favorite audiences “en plein aire” – in the fresh air.

The Theatre of Laxenburg

Laxenburg has had more premieres than any other theater of its time!The records from the summer of 1755 tell us that in the Palace Theater Laxenburg in just three weeks, ie on 21 evenings, a total of 16 pieces were presented. The preferred genre was French comedy. The illustrious audience was more than pleased and was regularly invited to play along and sing along. If you consider the unbelievable effort of just one performance (ensemble, costumes, stage sets, props, rehearsals, catering), you can guess the importance of entertaining art at the court. Enormous sums were spent on it.

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