About this place
Standing directly opposite the Rathaus, the Burgtheater (Imperial Court Theatre) is the most important German-language theater in the world. Originally founded in 1741, the current magnificent neo-Renaissance building was completed in 1888. It is famous not only for its flawless acoustics and elite ensemble of actors but also for its grand staircases. Before he became world-famous for his golden, erotic Art Nouveau masterpieces, a young Gustav Klimt and his brother Ernst were hired to paint the theater's ceiling frescoes, leaving behind an early, priceless masterpiece in plain sight.
Key facts
- 1888 year — The current grand building on the Ringstrasse was opened
- 2 staircases — Feature magnificent ceiling frescoes painted by the Klimt brothers
- 1945 year — The theater was heavily bombed and burned down, reopening in 1955
📍 Universitätsring 2, 1010, Wien