History

Historic Wörthersee architecture with timeless flair

The famous Wörthersee architecture still lends the lake its unmistakable charm today. With the construction of the Austro-Hungarian Southern Railway in 1864, numerous city dwellers discovered Lake Wörthersee as an exclusive retreat. They had splendid villas, castles and stylish boathouses and bathhouses built. Between 1864 and 1938, an architectural style emerged that still characterises the shores of Lake Wörthersee today.

The story of our Villa Eden begins in 1913

Villa Eden was commissioned in 1913 by Baroness Stefanie Turkovic – planned by the renowned architect Prof. Franz Baumgartner, one of the most important representatives of Wörthersee architecture.

The historic Villa Turkovic is regarded as Baumgartner’s key building: here he combined the spatial tradition of the English country house with elements of bourgeois architecture from the pre-industrial Goethe era. The result was a type of villa that became a defining style for Lake Wörthersee.

Today, you can experience the unique magic of days gone by at Villa Eden – combined with modern comfort.

Family-owned since 1955 – the history of Villa Eden am See

In 1955, the magnificent villa became a special part of our family history. Our grandmother Hildegard, a native of Salzburg, regularly spent her holidays in the charming climatic health resort of Pörtschach am Wörthersee. The mild climate and the Mediterranean Alps-Adriatic flair were good for body and soul.

During one of her walks, she discovered the impressive villa with its unique view of Maria Wörth – and fell in love at first sight. Shortly afterwards, she purchased the property, which from then on became her personal retreat: her Garden of Eden.

From servants’ quarters to garden house – the beginning of Villa Eden on the lake

With much love and foresight, Hildegard had the former servants’ quarters converted into today’s garden house and the neighbouring Eden House built. Today’s Villa Eden am See was created from the historic Villa Turkovic – and the first guests were able to move into their holiday flats on Lake Wörthersee.

What began as a private place of longing became a stylish holiday home with heart – and lives on to this day as a place of relaxation and hospitality.