History

Did you know that Ballhausplatz has been the seat of government for almost 300 years? Or that Metternich liked the place so much he moved his entire family in?

Take a journey through the turbulent history of the building on Ballhausplatz.

Fig. 1: Aerial view: The pentagonal plan of the building is clearly visible. On the bottom right is the Amalien Wing of the Hofburg, above it, the Ministry of the Interior. Right at the top, a part of the Minorite Church is visible. (© Hopi Media)

More detailed information about the Federal Chancellery is available in the video guide "The historic rooms of the Austrian Federal Chancellery" and the book "Ballhausplatz 2. A House and its History".

We will start with the construction of the building.