The Lobby

Directly above the entrance you can see four statues on the building's exterior. Sculptor Franz Melnitzky created these portal figures displaying the allegories of a leader's virtues: (from left to right) wisdom, honor, justice and strength. Who today steps into the Imperial's lobby through the imposing revolving door is not aware that he follows the trails of horse-drawn carriages. Beneath the lobby's marble floor you still find the original cobble stone pavement. Today's main entrance was a driveway in the past.

Carriages passed here, halting at the ceremonial staircase. The livery-clad servants opened the carriages and the guests walked up the broad staircase to the first floor. The large hall on the ground floor was spacious enough for the carriages to turn before they left through the entrance onto the Ring Boulevard once again. In the past a horse stable was located on the grounds of today's Marble Hall. Rumor has it that horses once were watered in the niches of today's Hall Salon; the salon, after all, used to be an inner courtyard once.

The revolving door is custom-made and can be stopped any time. The two wings can be opened and the red carpet can be rolled out to welcome state visitors - flanked by guards - in truly imperial style.
Charming Bar Maria Theresia is situated next to the lobby. The cozy niches are often used for political discussions today - and they were so in the past. Meanwhile, toque-awarded Restaurant Imperial pampers excluisve guests with culinary highlights.