Bad Ischl

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The Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl

Bad Ischl is a town in Austria. It lies in the southern part of the state of Upper Austria, in the area known as the Salzkammergut. The town has a population of 14,115 (1.1.2004) and an area of 162.85 km². The Katrin Alpine Pasture is found in the town.

During the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the town was the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph.

It is located about 50 km from Vöcklabruck, the "Gateway to the Salzkammergut".

On August 19, 1853 the engagement between Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria took place at Esplanade No. 10, which since 1989 has been the location of the Museum der Stadt Bad Ischl.

In 1854, the Emperor's mother, Archduchess Sophie, gave him the Kaiservilla (Imperial Villa) as a wedding present. The villa became the imperial family's summer residence; Franz Joseph described it as "heaven on Earth" . On 28 July 1914, in the Kaiservilla, the Emperor signed a declaration of war with Serbia, signalling the start of World War I. To this day, the villa continues to be occupied by Franz Joseph and Elizabeth's descendants, although the grounds and parts of the residence are open to the public.

The Emperor Franz Joseph I built a villa named Villa Schratt in Bad Ischl for his mistress, Katharina Schratt.

Franz Lehár, known for his operettas died in Bad Ischl.

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