The Theresianum Acadamy is located in the It is housed in the former Favorita, an Imperial summer palace of the Hapsburg Dynasty.
In the large park of the Theresianum (Argentinierstrasse) stands Radio House, built by Clemens Holkmeister between 1936 and 1938. It is a building with a simple facade and a beautiful entrance hall.
History
editThe Favorita was built between 1616 and 1625 and refurbished in the Baroque style in 1690. It was the favorite summer residence of Leopold I, Joseph I and Charles VI, who died here. His daughter Empress Maria Theresa, however, preferred Schönbrunn and arranged to transfer the Favorita over to the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) on February 24, 1746 for the establishment of an elite school for the education of the children of nobles — the Theresianum. The sons of aristocrats could be trained there as public officials. Also, the Oriental Academy was established for the education of officials and diplomats. Maria Theresa was the school's founder and under her patronage, its economic sponsorship was secured and its curriculum was established. The Jesuits introduced a new system including Mathematics, History, Architecture, Geography, Political Science, Modern Languages, as well as Dancing, Horseback Riding and Fencing. Its graduates were destined for the diplomatic corps or other public service. Such a school was also called a knight academy (Ritterakademie). The faculty included Jesuit priests: Johann Nepomuk Cosmas Michael Denis, George Pray, and Franz Xavier Freiherr von Wulfen. The Jesuits ran it until the Suppression in 1773. After the Suppression some former Jesuits continued to teach there. It was dissolved by Joseph II but reestablished in 1797 by Emperor Franz II. As it celebrated its 250th anniversary in 1996, the school had over 600 students. http://www.manresa-sj.org/stamps/2_Austria.htm http://www.planetware.com/vienna/theresianum-academy-a-w-there.htm http://www.theresianum.ac.at/typo3/index.php?id=54