
Palais Hoyos (Hoyos Palace), Vienna
When Otto Wagner decided to build himself a “town house” at Rennweg No. 3 during the 1890s, let’s just say he wasn’t slumming it. Today we know it as the Hoyos Palace, home to the Croatian embassy, but back then it was a flashy statement in high Ringstrasse style. Think lavish wrought-iron balconies, theatrical stucco flourishes, and just a dash of that future-modern flair Wagner would later be known for—like the bold cornice and those elegant upper-floor reliefs that quietly whisper, “Secession is coming…”
Wagner, ever the architectural multitasker, also designed the neighbors, including No. 5 next door. That one gained a bit of fame of its own—this is where composer Gustav Mahler resided from 1898 to 1909. One can only imagine the heated creative debates drifting through the walls—architecture meets music, with coffee breaks in between...
Just a few steps away along Rennweg, you’ll find the Guards' Church—a temple with an identity crisis. Originally built in the 1760s by Nicolò Pacassi (the court architect to Empress Maria Theresa herself), it was given a Neoclassical facelift only six years later. Classic midlife glow-up... But walk inside and you’re back in full Rococo glory: gold-dripping stuccowork, a ribbed dome, lantern-lit drama, and those delightful bull’s-eye windows watching over it all.
Once the chapel for the imperial hospital, it was handed over in 1782 to the Polish Guards, who made it their spiritual home. These days, it still hosts services in Polish and goes by the charming nickname “Polish Church.” Because nothing says “Vienna” like Baroque architecture with a Slavic soul.
Wagner, ever the architectural multitasker, also designed the neighbors, including No. 5 next door. That one gained a bit of fame of its own—this is where composer Gustav Mahler resided from 1898 to 1909. One can only imagine the heated creative debates drifting through the walls—architecture meets music, with coffee breaks in between...
Just a few steps away along Rennweg, you’ll find the Guards' Church—a temple with an identity crisis. Originally built in the 1760s by Nicolò Pacassi (the court architect to Empress Maria Theresa herself), it was given a Neoclassical facelift only six years later. Classic midlife glow-up... But walk inside and you’re back in full Rococo glory: gold-dripping stuccowork, a ribbed dome, lantern-lit drama, and those delightful bull’s-eye windows watching over it all.
Once the chapel for the imperial hospital, it was handed over in 1782 to the Polish Guards, who made it their spiritual home. These days, it still hosts services in Polish and goes by the charming nickname “Polish Church.” Because nothing says “Vienna” like Baroque architecture with a Slavic soul.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vienna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ϳԹ: 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.
Palais Hoyos (Hoyos Palace) on Map
Sight Name: Palais Hoyos (Hoyos Palace)
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
Create Your Own Walk in Vienna
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.
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
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 Introduction Walking Tour II
Vienna, the former capital of the once mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire, is the second largest city in the German-speaking world after Berlin. Steeped in history, today's Vienna is still much revered for its cultural grandeur. The abundance of it, manifested in imperial palaces, diverse museums, and historic churches, beckons annually over 6 million guests from around the world.
One of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
One of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Old Town Churches Walking Tour
"Vienna is the city of miracles and music" – Whoever said that must have emphasized Vienna's close association with the Christian faith. The intertwining of Christian heritage and artistry in the Austrian capital finds expression primarily in its magnificent churches.
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
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
Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour II
If there are cities that flirt, Vienna is definitely the one. Here, even the buildings know how to do it.
Around the turn of the 20th century, the Austrian capital caught the Art Nouveau fever and decided that straight lines, drab walls, and historical imitation simply wouldn’t do anymore. Instead, it took to ornamental swirls, flowing curves, floral flourishes, and enough decorative detail... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Around the turn of the 20th century, the Austrian capital caught the Art Nouveau fever and decided that straight lines, drab walls, and historical imitation simply wouldn’t do anymore. Instead, it took to ornamental swirls, flowing curves, floral flourishes, and enough decorative detail... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
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