Description of the attraction
The famous Ferstel Palace is located in the oldest and most beautiful part of Vienna, in the first district in the heart of the city. The young architect Heinrich von Ferstel created this palace between 1856 and 1860, deeply impressed by a long trip to Italy. The unique combination of Venetian and Florentine architecture with classic cut stone masonry has made this building one of the greatest and most interesting in Vienna. At the time of its opening in 1860, Ferstel Palace was one of the most modernly designed buildings in Vienna. It houses the Stock Exchange, which rented space on the first floor of the Ferstel Palace. The Austro-Hungarian National Bank also had its headquarters in this house.
Soon after the stock exchange moved in 1877, the famous Cafe Central was opened on the ground floor. The café becomes a meeting place for scholars and artists, "Centralisten," as patrons like to call themselves. Sigmund Freud, Leon Trotsky and many others often spend time here. Author and regular guest Peter Altenberg lives so close to the cafe that he gives everyone his address to receive his correspondence. Peter uses Central as his workplace, living room and salon. Even today, a life-size statue at the entrance reminds of this famous guest.
During the Second World War, the Ferstel Palace was badly damaged, and the Cafe Central was used as a warehouse. The reconstruction of the building began only in 1978. Only 8 years later, in 1986, the world-famous cafe again opened its doors to visitors.
In 2010, Ferstel Palace celebrated its 150th anniversary. Currently, some of the premises are used for banquets and concerts, in the rest of the building there are cafes, antique shops and a chocolate shop.
