Legal status and function

Legal status and function

The organization is a limited-liability company, solely owned by the Republic of Austria, and headed up by two managing directors, Dr Wolfgang Kippes (Technical Managing Director) and Dr Franz Sattlecker (Commercial Managing Director). The company's legal basis derives from a law passed in the spring of 1992, comprising the legislation allowing the hiving off for privatization of the Palace's operating company.

The private company is controlled by a Supervisory Board consisting of four civil servants from the Ministries involved with Schönbrunn and two experts from commerce and industry, plus employee representatives as provided under the law.

In addition, Schloss Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. is advised by a "Historico-Cultural Advisory Council" consisting of 20 members, variously specialists in art history and the preservation of historic monuments, museum and tourism experts. The Council must be consulted on all relevant issues of touristic use. The overall site and complex of Schönbrunn is owned by the Republic of Austria, and the operating company's contract with the state is based on a usufructuary right. While, on the one hand, all proceeds from operations flow into the company, on the other hand, the company must undertake all necessary expenditure. It receives no subsidies, and investments are made without any liability being accepted by the state.