Palais Königswarter, Protected palatial residence in Innere Stadt, Vienna, Austria

Palais Königswarter is a three-storey rental palace at Kärntner Ring 4, built in 1862 in the Ringstraßen style. Its facade has seven window axes, with the vestibule entrance on the central axis and a small balcony projecting above it on the first floor. Under the gable above the balcony door is a stucco coat of arms with the motto "Candide Secure".

Built in 1862 by architects August Schwendenwein and Johann Romano for banker Jonas von Königswarter, who was ennobled in 1860 and became a baron in 1870. In 1907 Miklos Baron Kiss de Ittebe bought it; his wife, actress Katharina Schratt, lived on the first floor until 1940. Bomb damage on 12 March 1945 was repaired, and a full renovation followed in 1993.

From 1890 until her death in 1940, the Burgtheater actress Katharina Schratt, a close friend of Emperor Franz Joseph I, lived in the palace; she occupied the entire first floor, the Beletage. Baron Miklos Kiss de Ittebe, who bought the building in 1907, left it to her when he died in 1909. The emperor is said to have helped finance the purchase discreetly.

The building underwent major restoration in 1993 and was converted into modern offices and apartments while keeping its historical character. Public access is limited, so check in advance how you can view the building or tour the interior.

The stucco coat of arms above the balcony, under a gabled hood, carries the builder's motto "Candide Secure" (honest and secure). Jonas von Königswarter, raised to knighthood in 1860 and to barony in 1870, also developed the whole western part of the block between Kärntner Ring, Kärntner Straße, Bösendorferstraße and Akademiestraße.