Wien - Gestalten der Österreichischen Geschichte

The statues on the façade facing the Heldenplatz were erected between 1895 and 1901 after a plan by the art historian Albert Ilg (1847-1896).

"Originally, Hasenauer, who died in 1894, planned 20 Habsburg statues, but Hofburg committee ultimately followed the idea of Rudolf Freiherr v. Breisky by illustrating with a through a typical figure the most significant periods in Austrian history, starting from the Marcomanni to the Tyrolean freedom wars. Nevertheless, the basis of Hasenauer's program was followed, 'to which extent the rulers and civic virtues are symbolized, partly the history of the monarchy, and the main branches of its inhabitants are represented'. A milestone in the history of Austria is the successful defense of Vienna in 1683 against the Turks, which is why this event was symbolized by two statues. … A total of 17 well-known artists, among them Kundmann, Bitterlich, Scherpe, Hofmann v. Aspernburg, Weyr, Hugo Haerdtl (Härdtl), Břenek and Silbernagl have collaborared in this statue program – which was erected in 1901" (Stieglitz & Zeillinger, p. 243).

Left wing, from left to right: (click on the photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)

Markomanne Marcomannus Germanic tribe in the Danube region in de 2nd century AD, oldest known inhabitants of the region. — Sculptor: Hans Scherpe	Römischer Legionär Roman legionary The celtic kingdom of Noricum (the region of Austria and Slovenia) was made a Roman province — Sculptor: Wilhelm Seib Signed: seib	Bajuware Bavarius After the fall of the Roman Empire the area was invaded by the Bavarians, a Germanic tribe — Sculptor: Anton Břenek	Glaubensprediger Missionary Christianization, depicted is probably St. Severinus of Noricum, 5th century. — Sculptor: Carl Kundmann	Slawe Slav Holding a plow, referring to Přemysl, the Ploughman, mythical ancestor of the Přemyslid dynasty, which ruled Bohemia since 873. — Sculptor: Johann Koloc

Fränkischer Gaugraf Frankish Count Founding of the Ostmark by Charlemagne, ruled by the counts of the House of Babenberg, 976-1248 — Sculptor: Edmund von Hellmer	Magyare Magyar or Hungarian End of the 9th century the Magyars entered the Carpathian Basin. Depicted is probably the Magyar chieftain Lehel, one of the most important figures of the Magyar invasions of Europe — Sculptor: Rudolf Weyr	Kreuzfahrer Crusader In the 13th century a crusading force from Austria and Hungary joined the forces of the king of Jerusalem to take back Jerusalem — Sculptor: Viktor Tilgner	Seefahrer Navigator Navigation, referring to the acquisition of Triest in 1382 and to Venice. — Sculptor: Josef Valentin Kassin (Wikipedia) or Hans Bitterlich (Stieglitz & Zeillinger)	Ritter in Prachtrüstung Knight in armour Prosperity of chivalry — Sculptor: Stefan Schwartz Signed: St. Schwartz
Right wing, from left to right:

Magister Scholar Founding of the universities of Prague (1348) and Vienna (1365) — Sculptor: Edmund Hofmann von Aspernburg	Burgundischer Kaufherr Burgundian Merchant Acquisition of the Burgundian Lands, including the trade centers of Brugge and Gent (1482) — Sculptor: Hugo Haerdtl Signed: H. Haerdtl 1898	Stadtbürger Citizen In his arm a shield with the emblems of craft workers; prosperity of the citizens. — Sculptor: Emmerich Alexius Swoboda von Wikingen Signed: ea. swoboda / 1899	Bergmann Miner Development of the mining in Carinthia and Bohemia. — Sculptor: Werner David Signed: w. david	Maximilianischer Landsknecht Maximilian Soldier Beginning of a permanent army under emperor Maximilian I (1493-1519) — Sculptor: Anton Schmidgruber Signed: A. Schmidgruber 1898

Wallensteinischer Soldat Wallenstein Soldier Soldier of the Thirty Years' War (1618-48) under Albrecht von Wallenstein (1583-1634) — Sculptor: Franz Koch	Pole Polak Soldier from the army of king John III Sobieski of Poland, defender of Vienna 1683 — Sculptor: Anton Břenek Signed: a. brenek	Bewaffneter Wiener Bürger Armed Citizen of Vienna Defender of Vienna during the Turkish Siege of 1683 — Sculptor: Richard Kauffungen	Bauer mit gebrochener Ketten Farmer with broken chains Abolition of Serfdom, 1848 (or referring to Joseph II's patents of 1781) — Sculptor: Anton Paul Wagner	Tiroler Landesverteidiger Tyrolian Defender During the war with the French, 1809 — Sculptor: Johann Silbernagl