Wien I: Palais Lobkowitz mit Augustinerkirche und Augustinerkloster, um 1838. - Kupferstich von Gottfried Prixner, u.U. nach einer eigenen Zeichnung. Druck von Rudolf Sammer, Wien, 1838.

The former palace of Prince Lobkowitz was one of the most impressive buildings of the Baroque period in Vienna. It was built between 1685 and 1687, in 1710 the main portal was rebuilt. The building had been the city palace of the Bohemian aristocratic family Lobkowitz since 1753.

Prince Josef Franz Max von Lobkowitz resided there in the end of the 18th century. He was one of the most important patrons of Ludwig van Beethoven. The prince maintained a private orchestra and a string quartet ensemble - which was an exception, even among music-loving Viennese noblemen. He endeavored to let all of Beethoven's new works immediately be performed in his palace. A concert hall was built in the biggest room of the building in 1799. Beethoven's Fourth Symphony (B Major op. 60) had its premiere in this room, and his "Sinfonia eroica" (E Flat Major op. 55) had been rehearsed there before its first public performance.(S.B.)