Café Savoy facts for kids
The Café Savoy is a well-known Viennese coffee house located in the Mariahilf district of Vienna, Austria. It sits on the left bank of the Wien river, along a street called Linke Wienzeile. This historic café first opened its doors in 1896.
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Discovering Café Savoy's History
How Did Café Savoy Begin?
The building where Café Savoy is located was designed by a famous architect named Franz von Neumann. He built it between 1896 and 1897. A rich textile maker, Julius Léon von Wernburg, had bought the land in 1889 and asked for this grand building to be constructed.
When it first opened, the café took up most of the ground floor. It was originally called Café Wienzeile, named after its street location. The Kuszak family owned it, and they also ran coffee houses in other big cities like Prague and Budapest.
What Makes Café Savoy Special?
The building has a very grand, palace-like style. Inside, Café Savoy is famous for its two huge mirrors. People say these are some of the largest mirrors made from a single piece of glass in Europe, second only to the ones in the Palace of Versailles in France. The café also features a beautiful chandelier designed by Theophil von Hansen, another well-known architect.
Changes Over the Years
In 1983, the coffee house was renamed Café Savoy. It also became a bit smaller, taking up about one-third of its original ground-floor space. Later, the café was given a fresh new look with renovations that took place in 2008 and 2009.
