The Winter Riding School

The most splendid riding hall in the world

The Winter Riding School of the Spanish Riding School is located between Josefsplatz and Michaelerplatz bordering on the Redouten Wing at a right angle. The visitors’ centre at the Spanish Riding School can be reached via Michaelerplatz.

Emperor Leopold I (1640-1705) has an initial, wooden riding hall built as early as 1680, which only lasts a few years. It is not until around 50 years later that Emperor Charles VI makes plans for the construction of a riding school.

And this time a magnificent brick building rather than a wooden one. From 1729 until1734 the Winter Riding School of the Spanish Riding School is constructed by architect Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach (1693-1742) according to plans by his father, Johann Bernard Fischer von Erlach (1656-1723).

The building, which originally only provides equestrian training for the Imperial Family and is not accessible to the public, has retained its original appearance and is regarded as the most beautiful riding hall in the world.

This is not only due to the gallery borne by 46 Corinthian pillars but to the opulent series of figures in the Baroque style.

Particularly the victorious end to repeated wars against the Ottoman Empire is mirrored here. Enthroned in the centre is the figure of a young woman, the personification of a victorious Austria. She presides as ruler of the world upon a globe. Among the trophies on either side of her are, alongside Turkish standards, the helmets of French troops, the allies of the Ottomans against the Hapsburg monarchy in the 17th century.

Another feature of the splendid Baroque hall of the Winter Riding School are the exceptional acoustics.

This is thanks to the unique roof construction put in place by architect Fischer von Erlach; the original wooden roof timbering has a space below the actual ceiling which serves a resonating chamber.