From the Royal Stables to the MuseumsQuartier
MQ as an imperial city of horses and carriages
Following in the footsteps of the noble Lipizzaner and Kladruber horses, this guided tour explores horses and the art of riding in the Baroque era, travel by carriage, and courtly life and work.
With over 300 years of history, a 355-meter-long façade, space for more than 600 horses and around 400 carriages, today’s MuseumsQuartier has always been a place of constant activity. It was here that horses were trained, repaired, paraded, and displayed—from daily stable work to grand processions.
Begun in 1725 under Emperor Charles VI, the father of Maria Theresa, the Imperial Court Stables were a major Baroque project of European significance. The overall design is the work of the renowned Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, whose plans created the monumental setting for the functional heart of courtly mobility.
Discover the following on the guided tour:
- the royal stables, a Baroque architectural gem of monumental proportions
- the lively atmosphere of the grounds, featuring horseback riding demonstrations, festive parades, and scenes of courtly daily life
- the history of the magnificent ceremonial and gala carriages that were once housed here and prepared for grand appearances at the imperial court
- the roles of Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) and Emperor Franz Joseph, during whose reign the grounds were expanded—including a dedicated hall for Sisi’s vaulting exercises
- the transformation from the imperial stables to today's MuseumsQuartier
Information:
- Every first Saturday, 16:00 (German)
- Duration: 60 min
- Meeting place: MQ Point
- Full price: €9
- Reduced rate: €8
If you're interested, we also offer private group tours. You can find the full range of MQ Tours here.
MuseumsQuartier
