History
From Habsburg residence to an international conference centre
Dip into more than 700 years of architecture, politics, culture and art.Guests meeting, dancing or celebrating at the Hofburg Vienna are treading on historic ground: Until 1918 the palace was the imperial residence of the Habsburgs, today, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, it provides a stylish setting for events.
Ideal conditions for events after 800 years of construction work
The Hofburg complex was built between the 13th and 21st centuries. Until the 20th century all Austrian emperors as well as Maria Theresia left their architectural mark on the Hofburg. The palace finally took on its present appearance during the urban renewal programme when the Ringstrasse was built in the reign of Franz Joseph I. The historic rooms of this listed building have been preserved in their original condition, reflecting the various periods of the palace’s history. Since the 21st century impressive glass architecture and modern conference technology have created an unique interplay between history and modernity.
Vienna and the Hofburg are world leaders
The Hofburg Vienna provides an ideal setting for events for between 50 and 4,900 guests. The magnificent Festsaal (Festival Hall) can hold up to 1,210 people. The Zeremoniensaal (Ceremonial Hall), once the throne room of the Habsburgs, can hold up to 500 guests. Thirty-five exquisite event rooms of various sizes are available with a total floor space of 17,000 square metres. Spacious exhibition areas, offices, press offices, cloakrooms and lounges complete the facilities.
Work on reconditioning and modernising the rooms for use as a congress centre commenced in 1958. The first event to be held here was the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Organisation (IAEO) which took place the same year.
In 1969 Wiener Kongresszentrum Hofburg BetriebsgesmbH, owned by renowned companies from the tourist industry, took over the management, marking the start of a development which saw Vienna
become a world-leader in the international congress tourist industry. Since 1987 the Hofburg has also been home to the permanent seat of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Historical Dates
1705: Redoutensaele
The Redoutensaele were built by Emperor Joseph I in 1705 as an opera house and from the outset formed the backdrop for many of the important historic encounters that took place in the Hofburg complex. It was here that the Redoutes, the famous masked balls, were held. Important concerts such as the first performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 8th Symphony also took place here. Famous composers such as Josef Strauss and Franz Liszt conducted their works and several smaller Mozart operas also had their premieres here.
1717 – 1815: Hofburg
History was also written in the rooms which face Heldenplatz. It is here in the Rittersaal that Maria Theresia, the only woman ever to ascend the Austrian throne, was baptised in 1717 as well as Napoleon asked for the hand of Marie Louise, daughter of Emperor Franz II/I in the Zeremoniensaal in 1810. Thus the Zeremoniensaal (Ceremonial Hall) built in 1806 served Emperor Franz Joseph I as a throne room where he knighted many members of the nobility.
1814 – 1815: The congress dances – world history and politics at the highest level
The ironic description of the Congress of Vienna in 1814/15, "the congress dances" was due to the glittering festivities at the Hofburg. And the Redoutensaele have remained a venue for major political events to the present day. In 1961 the US President John F. Kennedy and the head of the USSR Nikita Khrushchev met here, and in 1979 the SALT II treaty between the USA and the Soviet Union was ratified. In 2006, during Austria’s presidency of the European Union, the Hofburg hosted the EU conferences and the EU-USA summit which included a visit by the US President George W. Bush. Also Pope Benedikt XVI, King Carl Gustav from Sweden and the Chinese President Hu Jintao were guests at the Hofburg Vienna.
1992: Rebuilding of the Redoutensaele
Following a disastrous fire in 1992, the Redoutensaele were renovated and given a tasteful modern ceiling fresco by Josef Mikl. The Grosser Redoutensaal (Large Redouten Hall) can hold up to 700 guests and the Kleiner Redoutensaal (Small Redouten Hall) up to 280. The stylish Dachfoyer (roof foyer), which can hold up to 250 guests and which offers a stunning view of Vienna’s inner city through a huge glass front, was developed in an impressive interplay of true-to-original restoration and modern artistic design. Shortly after the Redoutensaele were reopened in 1998 as an attractive venue with 6,000 square metres of floor space, management was entrusted to the Wiener Kongresszentrum Hofburg BetriebsgesmbH.
2006: Hofburg Gallery and Forum – A successful symbiosis of the modern and the historical
The Hofburg Galerie (Hofburg Gallery) and Forum is the most recent extension to the Hofburg Vienna. An historic inner courtyard was overbuilt to create three new levels with 300 square metres each. This new area houses two event rooms, each of which can hold 250 guests, and spacious offices. The impressive glass and steel construction designed by the architect Manfred Wehdorn, and especially the glass Hofburg Galerie (Hofburg Gallery), offer an atmosphere which is unique for a protected historic building.
2007: New corporate design
In October Hofburg Vienna presented its new corporate design. The colour scheme is an elegant combination of black and yellow. It tributes to the Imperial history and signifies the interplay between tradition and modernity. The new design can be found on printed materials, advertising media and staff uniforms.
Conference furniture, elegant wardrobes and stylish furniture for registration in all our meeting rooms contribute to an attractive, eye-catching flair.
2008/2009: 50th anniversary of Hofburg Vienna
From June 2008 until June 2009 Hofburg Vienna was celebrating its jubilee year as international conference and events center with a whole series of attractive events, including themed guided tours, an Open House as well as an Official Ceremony and a look into the future with a symposium entitled
“Scientific Congresses 2020”. In December 2009 also the Kaiserball, which is organised by Hofburg Vienna, was celebrating its 40th jubilee.
2010: Hofburg Lounge
The Hofburg Lounge reopened with a brand new design in September. Seating areas can be arranged in a coffee house or lounge style as required. The flexible room concept underpins the harmonious interplay between modern and traditional elements.
2011: Innovation and event technique
As the pace of developments in communications and event technologies reaches fever pitch, the Hofburg Vienna is responding with its very own innovation management strategy which centres on mobile services, augmented reality, virtual and hybrid events.
2012: LE GRAND BAL at the Hofburg Vienna – a successful premiere
At New Year’s Eve LE GRAND BAL at the Hofburg Vienna celebrated its successful premiere. More than 2,500 guests attended the new ball highlight with exquisite gala dinner organized by Hofburg Congress Center.
2013: Jubilee 55 years of conferences at the Hofburg
In October the Hofburg Congress Center celebrated its 55th anniversary.
2014/2015: the Congress of Vienna is celebrating its 200th anniversary
Together with the publisher Amalthea the Hofburg Vienna presented the book “Der Wiener Kongress”. In addition to this the Hofburg Congress Center set some further activities to honour the historical jubilee.
2014/2015: Hofburg New Year’s Eve Ball
As a tribute to Vienna and New Year’s Eve, a night of dreams, happiness and new beginnings, the event is a highlight during the charming Viennese ball season. The Hofburg New Year’s Eve Ball promises to be a spectacle that shines bright in the light of countless traditional and modern elements!
2015: Jubilee 150 years Vienna’s Ringstrasse
Hofburg Vienna is celebrating the 150th anniversary of Vienna’s Ringstrasse. The Ring belongs to the most beautiful boulevards in Europe. The Hofburg is one of the famous historic buildings near Vienna’s Ringstrasse and is used as international congress- and convention centre.
2016: Hofburg Vienna – Imperial & CO(ntemporary)
The former imperial residence is testament to the interplay between the historical and the modern. We celebrate the theme Imperial & CO(ntemporary). The centennial of Emperor Franz Joseph’s death falls in 2016. He was the embodiment of imperial power.
2017: Year of Jubilees
Hofburg Vienna is celebrating a year of jubilees: 150 years Danube Waltz & Johann Strauss, the
300th birthday of Maria Theresia and 180th birthday of Empress Elisabeth. Maria Theresia was baptized in the Rittersaal in 1717 and Empress Elisabeth lived in the former winter residence of the Habsburgs. The international conference and event centre is a stage for world political and culture history and will be hosting the Austrian parliament for 2017 – 2021.
2018: Commemorative year
100 years ago the Republic of Austria was proclaimed on 12 November 1918. The annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany took place on 12 March 1938. The Austrian National Library is celebrating the 650th anniversary with a festive event at Hofburg Vienna. In 1958 the Austrian federal authority installed a convention centre in the festive halls of Hofburg Palace for the 2. General Assembly of IAEA (Int. Atomic Energy Agency) which took place there for the first time at the imperial congress centre.
2019: Jubilee 50 years „Wiener Kongresszentrum Hofburg Betriebsgesellschaft“
Jubilee 50 years New Year’s Eve Highlight at Hofburg
The shareholders in the company that operate Hofburg Vienna (Wiener Kongresszentrum Hofburg Betriebsges.m.b.H) celebrate in 2019 the foundation of 1969. In December 2019 also the New Year’s Eve Highlight, the Hofburg Silvesterball, which is organised by Hofburg Vienna, is celebrating its 50th jubilee with an outstanding programme.
2020: Year of jubilees
Ludwig van Beethoven 250th birthday and 240 years-jubilee of Maria Theresias regency. Both are closely related to Hofburg’s history. The première of Beethoven’s 8th Symphony took place in the Redoutensäle. During the regency of Maria Theresia the Redoutnesäle were reconstructed as setting for elegant masked balls and famous concerts. Nowadays the facilities are used for conferences but the outbreak of the global corona pandemic resulted in an 80% decline in events at Hofburg Vienna. Comprehensive security measures and global travel restrictions shaped 2020. Due to the worldwide travel restrictions the Hofburg New Year’s Eve Ball couldn’t take place.
2021: Meeting point Vienna
The further development of the corona pandemic remained uncertain and thus also the ability to plan events of any kind in 2021. The vaccinations didn’t contribute to ease the tense situation in the event industry and as in the previous year, the Hofburg New Year’s Eve Ball was canceled and no longer resumed.
2022: Jubilee 30 years reconstruction Hofburg Redoutensaele
25 years management Hofburg Redoutensaele
Know-how distinguishes the management of Hofburg Vienna. One of the reasons that 25 years ago the Hofburg Redoutensaele were entrusted to the operating company as an additional event area. After the fire, built into one of the most breathtaking locations over a period of 5 years, 2017 - 2023 seat of the Austrian Parliament and from 2024 onwards, the reconstruction of the event halls will begin in order to create a place for extraordinary events. Even if the start of the year fell far short of expectations, the booking calendar for 2022 was all the more dense in the months that followed.
2023: Vision & New Beginnings
150 years ago the World’s Fair in 1873 turned Vienna into a world metropolis. It was the motor for development and international encounters. The renowned crystal glass manufacturer Lobmeyr was part of the World’s Fair in 1873 and also furnished the Imperial Pavilion with numerous exhibits. The magnificent chandeliers in the Kleiner Redoutensaal are also from Lobmeyr and underline the charisma of the Hofburg Vienna as an international meeting place. The spirit of the World’s Fair and the idea of innovation can still be experienced, especially when new perspectives are created through 3D visualizations of the festive halls and state-of-the-art technologies.
2024: Place to be, place of vision
Increasing globalisation and networking between companies continues to fuel demand for international conferences, trade fairs and exhibitions. Entertaining occasions like balls and banquets are more popular than ever – and the festive halls are once again the place to be for leading figures from the worlds of business, politics and the arts – as well as countless international visitors. Implementing a new visual identity, using leading event technologies and incorporating aspects such as sustainability or reusability are all essential elements for creating inspirational encounters, which we can’t wait to bring to life with our customers.