The history of the Kohlmarkt reaches back to the time of Vindobona. It provided access to the southwest gate of this legionary camp of the Romans. Records refer to “Witmarkt” in 1255 and 1304, and in 1314 and 1352 for the first time to “Kohlenmarkt”. It owes its name to charcoal dealers who originally did their business there. After the completion of the Hofburg, the proximity of the Kohlmarkt to the imperial residence encouraged the establishment of producers of high-quality and luxury goods.

It extends from Michaelerplatz to the Graben and is considered to be Vienna’s luxury mile on account of the concentration of jewelers and branch stores of international fashion labels ranging from Gucci to Vuitton. On the way you may treat yourself to a Viennese mélange at the venerable Demel or slurp a couple of oysters at the gourmet temple Meinl.

Vis-à-vis the remains of the civilian settlement of the Romans (canabae legionis), the famous architect Adolf Loos caused a gigantic scandal when in July 1910 to the horror of everyone at the time he mounted a plain façade devoid of all ornamentation. This drew criticism particularly from the city council and greatly offended Viennese generally. Therefore a temporary building stop was imposed. It was lifted in 1912 after Adolf Loos had agreed to attach bronze flower boxes to the windows. Unto this day the building is therefore also referred to as the house "without eyebrow".

Channel: Typisch Wien
Categories: Food & Drink, Shopping, Sightseeing