VIENNA.- After the great success of the anniversary exhibits – 2014/15 (Congress of Vienna), 2016 (Emperor Franz Joseph) and 2017 (Empress Maria Theresa) – the Imperial Carriage Museum Vienna is presenting a permanent exhibition completely revamped both visually and in terms of content.

Sophisticated architectural installations and striking lighting effects instil new life into the imperial carriages, clothing and paintings, revealing their beauty in all its glory. The exhibition tells the story of the Vienna court, its ceremonies, its way of life and its travels between 1700 and 1918. Special attention is paid to the person of Empress Elisabeth. In order to explain her significance and fascination to overseas visitors as yet unacquainted with Sisi, the exhibition draws astonishing parallels between her fate and that of Lady Diana Spencer. Under the title of “Empress Elisabeth of Austria – the Lady Diana of the 19th century”, visitors are able to follow her destiny in the light of her magnificent clothing, carriages and riding accessories, as well as previously never before exhibited personal items. The specially produced exhibition videos take the visitor through Sisi's life and illustrate the striking parallels between her and the “Queen of Hearts” of the 20th century.

Furthermore, from May onwards an exhibit that is both exceptional as well as state-of-the-art is on show at the Imperial Carriage Museum: the “Art Car” designed in 2014 for the young racing driver Ferdinand Hapsburg by the artist collective Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann. The son of Karl and Francesca Hapsburg is regarded as a promising Formula 1 driver. With his first artistically adorned racing car (a Formula 1 Renault 1.6), he treads in the footsteps of his illustrious ancestors, whose magnificent vehicles on show in the Imperial Carriage Museum were always decorated by outstanding artists.