Restoration of Strudlhofstiege

History of the staircase

Strudlhofstiege, the famous staircase in the 9^th district, connects Strudlhofgasse and Liechtensteinstraße. Based on a design by Johann Theodor Jaeger the flight of steps was built from limestone won in Mannersdorf. On 29 November 1910, Strudlhofstiege was first opened to the public, renovation works were carried out in 1984.
The structure is adorned with a fountain divided into a lower and an upper basin. The upper basin is set into the wall featuring a water jet in form of a head mask while the lower basin on the first landing consists of a tessellated niche with a fish mouth serving as water jet.

Naming

Strudlhofstiege commemorates Peter von Strudel, a 17^th century court and chamber painter. Von Strudel was born around 1660 in Cles (Trentino, Italy) and died in Vienna on 4 October 1714. In 1690 he built the Strudelhof and was later appointed to direct the Academy of Arts. In Austria his work as sculptor and painter marks the change to the high baroque.
Heimito von Doderer’s novel "Die Strudlhofstiege oder Melzer und die Tiefe der Jahre" (The Strudlhof Steps or Melzer and the Depth of the Years), published in 1951, established the staircase’s fame first in Austria and later all over the world.

Current state of construction

By optical criterions the current state of construction, particularly regarding the balustrades, the steps and the décor, is no longer satisfactory. Changes applied over the years - especially to the surfaces - have had a negative effect on the staircase's appearance. The static-constructive structure is fine.
The aim of the construction work is to arrive at a general reconstruction and restoration in strict accordance with scientific historic preservation criterions. Restoration will apply to the entire structure of the Strudlhofstiege including the flights of stairs, the stringers, the floorings, the fountains and the light fittings.

Construction sequence and duration

Restoration of the staircase will be carried out in two construction stages. Provisional access for pedestrians will be maintained throughout the entire construction period of 14 months. The first construction stage will last from August to December 2008; the second stage, depending on the weather, is anticipated for the period of February to September 2009.

Costs

Costs for the entire reconstruction including planning are estimated at approximately EUR 1.43 million.

Works to be carried out

• Construction of a provisional staircase
• Restoration of the stone material
• Stone cleaning and renovation
• Restoration of railings and arch grids
• Adaptation of new light fittings to historic structure
• Restoration of fountains and water inlets
• Restoration of surfaces