Medallion House, Vienna
The shimmering show-off known as the Medallion House is a golden gem in Vienna鈥檚 Secessionist crown. Designed by none other than Otto Wagner and completed in 1899, this apartment block stands shoulder to shoulder with its equally flamboyant sibling, the Majolica House, in a dazzling display of architectural one-upmanship.
Why 鈥淢edallion House鈥�? Because of the bling, of course. The name comes from the gilded stucco medallions designed by Wagner鈥檚 prot茅g茅 and frequent partner-in-aesthetic-crime, Koloman Moser. Unlike Majolica鈥檚 garden-party palette of pinks, blues, and greens, the Medallion House prefers to go full glam鈥攇old rules the fa莽ade, and not just the front. Since the building is on a corner, Moser didn鈥檛 stop there鈥攈e decked out the entire length like it was going to a fashion gala.
The medallions feature serene, statuesque women flanked by palm leaves and floral swirls, a cocktail of classical inspiration and Art Nouveau flair. And if that wasn鈥檛 theatrical enough, look up. Higher... There, atop the roof, you鈥檒l find "The Criers" (or "The Crying Women" if you like), sculpted by Othmar Schimkowitz, who was no stranger to dramatic rooftops鈥攈e also did the angels for Otto Wagner鈥檚 Postal Savings Bank. These windswept figures seem to wail into the skyline, giving the whole building a kind of high-stakes opera vibe.
Wagner had big dreams for this stretch of the street鈥攗rban housing with style, edge, and plenty of Instagram appeal, a century before filters were a thing. In 1914, the Medallion House became the property of the Kohn family. But during World War II, the building was seized after the family was forced into exile. Justice prevailed in 1947, when the Kohns successfully reclaimed their home.
Today, the Medallion House doesn鈥檛 just star on postcards鈥攊t graces an actual 鈧�100 gold coin. And in true Viennese fashion, it currently houses... a bank. Because nothing says 鈥渁ustere financial institution鈥� quite like a fa莽ade dripping in gold and silent drama queens on the roof.
So, next time you're wandering the Naschmarkt side of town, look up. The Medallion House doesn鈥檛 just whisper history鈥攊t practically sings it from the rooftops.
Why 鈥淢edallion House鈥�? Because of the bling, of course. The name comes from the gilded stucco medallions designed by Wagner鈥檚 prot茅g茅 and frequent partner-in-aesthetic-crime, Koloman Moser. Unlike Majolica鈥檚 garden-party palette of pinks, blues, and greens, the Medallion House prefers to go full glam鈥攇old rules the fa莽ade, and not just the front. Since the building is on a corner, Moser didn鈥檛 stop there鈥攈e decked out the entire length like it was going to a fashion gala.
The medallions feature serene, statuesque women flanked by palm leaves and floral swirls, a cocktail of classical inspiration and Art Nouveau flair. And if that wasn鈥檛 theatrical enough, look up. Higher... There, atop the roof, you鈥檒l find "The Criers" (or "The Crying Women" if you like), sculpted by Othmar Schimkowitz, who was no stranger to dramatic rooftops鈥攈e also did the angels for Otto Wagner鈥檚 Postal Savings Bank. These windswept figures seem to wail into the skyline, giving the whole building a kind of high-stakes opera vibe.
Wagner had big dreams for this stretch of the street鈥攗rban housing with style, edge, and plenty of Instagram appeal, a century before filters were a thing. In 1914, the Medallion House became the property of the Kohn family. But during World War II, the building was seized after the family was forced into exile. Justice prevailed in 1947, when the Kohns successfully reclaimed their home.
Today, the Medallion House doesn鈥檛 just star on postcards鈥攊t graces an actual 鈧�100 gold coin. And in true Viennese fashion, it currently houses... a bank. Because nothing says 鈥渁ustere financial institution鈥� quite like a fa莽ade dripping in gold and silent drama queens on the roof.
So, next time you're wandering the Naschmarkt side of town, look up. The Medallion House doesn鈥檛 just whisper history鈥攊t practically sings it from the rooftops.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vienna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Medallion House on Map
Sight Name: Medallion House
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Vienna, Austria
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Creating your own self-guided walk in Vienna is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Johann Strauss Walking Tour
Throughout the entire 19th century, Vienna was a hub of cultural and musical activity, particularly in the realm of classical music, to which Johann Strauss and his father, Johann Strauss Sr., contributed greatly.
Strauss, the son had a personal connection with Vienna deeply rooted in its cultural fabric. Not only was he born here and spent most of his life, but also he achieved tremendous... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Strauss, the son had a personal connection with Vienna deeply rooted in its cultural fabric. Not only was he born here and spent most of his life, but also he achieved tremendous... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Mozart Walking Tour
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent a significant portion of his life in Vienna. Here, he achieved recognition, and the city holds enormous historical and cultural significance for his legacy. Mozart first visited Vienna as a child prodigy in 1762, and in 1781 came here to stay.
The city met the composer with a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere brought about by some of the top musicians and artists... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
The city met the composer with a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere brought about by some of the top musicians and artists... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Famous Homes of Vienna
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The often modest apartments of Vienna's famous... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
The often modest apartments of Vienna's famous... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Old Town Churches Walking Tour
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Sitting at "the crossroads of Christian traditions", Vienna is home to various Christian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Sitting at "the crossroads of Christian traditions", Vienna is home to various Christian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Old Town Chocolate Stores
Vienna is famous for its love for sweet indulgence. And when it comes to chocolate, it stands tall among other locally-made mouth-watering confections.
Vienna's chocolate scene is deeply rooted in a rich culinary tradition. It has been sustained by several historic chocolate houses, located in the Old Town, that have been serving decadent treats for generations.
Landmark... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Vienna's chocolate scene is deeply rooted in a rich culinary tradition. It has been sustained by several historic chocolate houses, located in the Old Town, that have been serving decadent treats for generations.
Landmark... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Vienna's Historical Music Venues
Austria is synonymous with classical music almost to the point of obsession, and to call Vienna the "Musical Capital of the World" would be hardly an exaggeration. Indeed, over the past centuries, the city served as the home and workplace for many great musicians like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Strauss, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert, and others.
Among the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Among the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
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