Vienna’s ‘Wagenburg’ at Schönbrunn Palace comprises one of the world’s best-preserved collections of historical vehicles and harnesses. On display are nearly 60 carriages, sedan-chairs, sleighs and automobiles which belonged to historical figures such as Sisi, Franz Joseph, Maria Theresia and Napoleon.

The world-famous collection presents an impressive and vivid picture of the many different aspects of court life, from the pomp of stately occasions to the relative simplicity of everyday transport, covering long-distance travel, leisure activities (hunting and sport), children’s games, coronations, weddings and funerals. At the same time it documents to an almost unique degree the continual development of coach-building from the Baroque state coach to the early 20^th century automobile.

The ‘Wagenburg’ is the only European coach museum engaged in active scientific research. In association with the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), the Austrian State Archives and the University of Vienna, systematic research is carried out on the development of Viennese coach and carriage construction. In addition, in co-operation with the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and the Austrian Research Institute for Chemistry and Technology (ofi), the Wagenburg Museum is also active in developing new techniques and methods for improving the conservation of coaches, harnesses and related materials and equipment.