Zur Schwäbischen Jungfrau

Zur Schwäbischen Jungfrau is a traditional Viennese linen and trousseau house located at Am Graben 26 in Vienna's first district, Innere Stadt. Its history reaches back to 1720, when a linen merchant from Swabia (Schwaben) settled in Vienna; the shop took its name — literally 'To the Swabian Maiden' — from his three daughters. Thanks to its success and its prominent position near the Hofburg, the business later became a k.u.k. (imperial and royal) court supplier, producing napkins for Emperor Franz Joseph I and lace bed linen for Empress Elisabeth. The painters Johann Nepomuk Mayer and Johann Kupelwieser created paintings of the maiden for the shop. The store was first located at the Haarhof, then at the Neuen Markt, and only moved to Graben 26 in the 1920s, after the First World War. In 1960 Hanni Vanicek, originally from Upper Austria, took over the shop; she had moved to Vienna young with her family and studied at the Higher Federal Teaching Institute for Fashion and Clothing Technology in Michelbeuern. She won customers over with the high quality of her terry fabrics. In 1968 the shop burned down completely, and Hanni Vanicek's brothers personally rescued the maiden paintings by Mayer and Kupelwieser. The Schwäbische Jungfrau has also supplied the Malaysian court and the Sultan of Pahang. Hanni Vanicek has led the company for more than 40 years. Across three floors the shop offers hand-woven linen and damask by the metre, kitchen, table and bed linen, terry goods, and complete collections from its own production. An attached sewing workshop allows customers to order made-to-measure items and embroidered monograms. The business remains a privately held, family-run Viennese institution known for fine textiles and traditional craftsmanship.

The business traces its origins to 1720, when a linen merchant from Swabia came to Vienna. Because of his three daughters, the shop was called 'Zur Schwäbischen Jungfrau' (To the Swabian Maiden). Owing to its success and its exposed location near the Hofburg, the company later became a k.u.k. Hoflieferant (imperial and royal court supplier). For example, napkins were made for Emperor Franz Joseph I, and lace bed linen for Empress Elisabeth. The painters Johann Nepomuk Mayer and Johann Kupelwieser produced paintings of the maiden for the shop. At first the Schwäbische Jungfrau was located at the Haarhof, then at the Neuen Markt. Only after the First World War, in the 1920s, did it move to Graben 26. In 1960 Hanni Vanicek, who came from Upper Austria, took over the shop. She had moved to Vienna with her family at a young age and studied at the Higher BLA for Fashion and Clothing Technology in Michelbeuern. She succeeded in convincing customers with the high quality of her terry fabrics. In 1968 the shop burned down completely; Hanni Vanicek's brothers personally rescued the maiden paintings by Mayer and Kupelwieser. The Schwäbische Jungfrau is a supplier to the Malaysian court and to the Sultan of Pahang. Hanni Vanicek has led the company for more than 40 years.

• 1968

  The shop burns down completely; Hanni Vanicek's brothers rescue the maiden paintings by Mayer and Kupelwieser.

• 1960

  Hanni Vanicek, from Upper Austria, takes over the shop.

• 1920

  After the First World War, the shop moves to Graben 26.

• 1720

  A linen merchant from Swabia arrives in Vienna; the shop is named 'Zur Schwäbischen Jungfrau' after his three daughters.

• The business becomes a k.u.k. court supplier, producing napkins for Emperor Franz Joseph I and lace bed linen for Empress Elisabeth.

• Painters Johann Nepomuk Mayer and Johann Kupelwieser create paintings of the maiden for the shop.

Traditional Viennese luxury linen and trousseau house with imperial court heritage, offering high-quality hand-woven textiles and bespoke embroidery.

• Hand-woven linen and damask by the metre

• Kitchen, table and bed linen

• Terry goods

• Complete collections from own production

• Made-to-measure items and embroidered monograms

1. 1Zur Schwäbischen Jungfrau – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Zur Schwäbischen Jungfrau – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Official websiteschwaebische-jungfrau.at