Main staircase

The main staircase leads from the palace entrance hall to the principal rooms on the first floor, which is referred to in the terminology of aristocratic residences by the Italian term “piano nobile”, which literally means “noble floor”. When going up the staircase, the first thing that you notice are the Baroque stone statues of putti – cherubic boys who served the Greek god Dionysus according to ancient myths. They were carved by an unknown sculptor in the 1940s. The staircase balustrade is also decorated with two stone vases from the same period.

 
In alcoves next to the staircase there are four allegorical statues of deities representing the seasons. They date from the time of the palace’s construction (18th century) and are probably the work of the important Viennese sculptor Wilhelm Beyer. Conservation research indicates the statues were originally displayed in the palace gardens.

Each season has its own mythological figure:

Spring is personified by Aphrodite (Venus), goddess of beauty and love.
Summer is represented by Ceres (Demeter), goddess of agriculture and the harvest.
Autumn is portrayed by Dionysus (Bacchus), god of theatre, wine, and revelry.
Winter is symbolised by Poseidon (Neptune), god of the sea and winter winds.

Other historical furnishings include 18th-century wall sconces and a richly carved wooden chandelier from the late 19th century, all gilded. Before the First World War, the walls were decorated with large paintings of military battles, which were replaced by decorative paintings in the 1940s.
Today, the staircase is not just for show but serves a practical function. It is the starting place for every official visit to the palace. As a gesture to welcome guests, the palace has literally rolled out a red carpet (in place of the historical grey) to add to the ceremonial atmosphere.