Bad Ischl from A to Z
The parents of the late Emperor, Franz Karl and Sophie of Bavaria, were not blessed with children. They were advised by their doctor to take mineral salt baths in Bad Ischl. This was so successful that they got their first child: their first son became Emperor Franz Joseph. He and his brothers were called salt princes, as they owe their lives to the salt water of Ischl.
In 1853 Sissi, then Sissi of Possenhofen, came to Ischl accompanied by her sister Helene. Helene was chosen to marry her cousin, Emperor Franz Joseph; but Franz Joseph fell in love with her 15.5-year old sister Sissi. Their engagement was announced to the public on his birthday on August 18. “Haus Austria”, where the historic engagement was celebrated, is today the Bad Ischl town museum. The registry office is now located in the historic halls of the engagement celebration. So-called “Sissi Weddings” take place there. After their wedding in 1854 the Emperor and Elisabeth came to Ischl every year. The parents of the Emperor (Duke Karl and Duchess Sophie – the sister of Elisabeth’s mother Ludovika) gave them the Empirial Villa as a wedding present. The Eltz Villa was extended in an E-shape for E-lisabeth.
Moreover the charming Marmorschlössl castle in English cottage style was built for Elisabeth. This tea house of the Empress is today the home of the Upper Austrian Photo Museum.
Amongst the many poems written by Elisabeth are several with the title “Der Zauberberg” (magic mountain). This title refers to Jainzenberg Mountain in Bad Ischl which is located just above the imperial park. She climbed it many times to enjoy sunbathing at the summit. Up there she is said to have had her best poetic ideas.
Ischl’s famous Konditorei Zauner cake shop, which was founded before the imperial residence in Bad Ischl, became purveyor to the court and can pride itself to have had Empress Elisabeth as a guest. Zauner also delivered the famous Guglhupf ring cake to Katharina Schratt, soul mate of the Emperor, whose villa was close to the imperial villa. Today Villa Schratt houses a gourmet restaurant and a small guesthouse in the annex building.
And at Rettenbachmühle guesthouse near Bad Ischl it was the first time the delicious Ischl Kaiserschmarrn meal (shredded pancakes with sugar and raisins) was prepared for Emperor Franz Joseph.
previous
print Page
recommend this Page