Albertina, The | A Masonic Bastion With History # 2019

When you think of Albertina today, you immediately think of the Dürer rabbit. But before this house became the home of the most important graphic collection in the world, it was a palace that was unparalleled in size and splendor. When Albert of Saxe-Teschen, who was married to one of Maria Theresa's daughters, had to leave his post as governor in the Austrian Netherlands, Emperor Franz II gave him this palace as a representative residence. Albert fell in love with his old home of Dresden early on. He joined the Masonic Lodge and became a defining figure for the Masonic scenes in several European capitals, including Vienna. With the contacts of his lodge brothers and his wife's money, he laid the foundation for today's Albertina graphics collection.

In the second season of "The Austria's Noble Mansions", art connoisseur and ORF III presenter Karl Hohenlohe once again explores the most magnificent architectural treasures that Vienna has to offer. The other four destinations lead Hohenlohe to the Belvedere Palace, the Parkhotel Schönbrunn and the versatile palaces at Schwarzenbergplatz.