As if visitors will lack for magnificent historical architecture in Vienna, yet one more to add to the long list is the Bohmische Hofkanzlei, or the Bohemian Court Chancellery at Wippingerstrasse. Tucked between Judenplatz Square and the Old City Hall, the early 18th century Baroque building was the seat of the organization of Bohemia’s representatives to the Vienna-based monarchy, the Bohemian Court Chancellery. It was formed in 1527 by Emperor Ferdinand I who was also King of Bohemia. The group was originally housed in the Hradschin Palace of Prague but during the 30-Years’ War it was transferred to Vienna and was integrated with the Austrian Court Chancellery in 1749.
The building was designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach while expansion was undertaken by Matthias Gerl during the same century. The current building however was a result of all the rebuilding done during the 19th and 20th centuries. The sculptures that adorn the building and its gates are impressive and are characteristic of the Golden Age in Vienna. From the coats of arms of Bohemia and Austria, the four female figures that represent the cardinal virtues of moderation, wisdom, justice and bravery, the angel with the trombone atop the attic and the two sculptures of King Wenceslaus I and Wenceslaus II, these and more underline the importance of the building and its occupants in the history of Austria.
Today the stately building is home to the Vefassungsgeritschof, the Constitutional Court of Austria and the Verwaltungsgeritschof, or the Administrative Court of Austria. The building is not open to the public but can be viewed from the outside.
