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Palais Koller (District Authority Building)

Location and Significance

Palais Koller, now the seat of the District Authority of St. Veit an der Glan, is a significant historical building in the centre of the town. It is located at Hauptplatz 28.

History 

The building was erected around 1780 for the iron merchant Johann Matthias Koller as a representative town house. The palace replaced the medieval Church of the Fourteen Holy Helpers that once stood on this site.

Over time, the house changed ownership several times. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it became an administrative building and seat of the district authority. Today, the palace is owned by the Province of Carinthia and is a listed building.

Architecture and Facade Design

The facade features a Neoclassical design with seven window bays (seven axis) and three storeys. It is clearly structured by pilasters, which give the facade a harmonious and vertical appearance. The base is rusticated, conveying a robust and solid impression through its roughly hewn ashlar blocks.

The windows are evenly spaced and topped with heavy gable pediments. The sparingly applied braid style (Zopfstil) ornamentation provides a refined decorative accent without overwhelming the facade.

Particularly striking is the segmental arch portal from the late 18th century, framed by pilasters. It was originally crowned by the richly detailed coat of arms of the von Koller family. This was later removed and replaced by the Carinthian provincial coat of arms, which was installed towards the end of the 19th century, above the main entrance.

Historical Service Wing

The adjoining northern service wing is older and contains groin-vaulted barrel ceilings from the 16th and 17th centuries. These architectural elements testify to the long history of the site and its various phases of construction.

Importance to the Town

Palais Koller impressively combines Neoclassical architecture with historical elements. It is an important part of the urban identity of St. Veit an der Glan and offers visitors the opportunity to experience history, art, and administration in one place.

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Palais Koller | Architectural Features | Gallery 1

The building features a Neoclassical pilaster facade.
The building features a Neoclassical pilaster facade.
Palais Koller is a three-storey structure.
Palais Koller is a three-storey structure.
The main facade of Palais Koller faces northeast.
The main facade of Palais Koller faces northeast.
The late 18th-century segmental-arched portal is framed by pilasters.
The late 18th-century segmental-arched portal is framed by pilasters.
Flanked by pilasters, the lower window features a triangular pediment above and a braid-style (Zopfstil) garland below.
Flanked by pilasters, the lower window features a triangular pediment above and a braid-style (Zopfstil) garland below.

The Building at the Western End of the Main Square | Gallery 2

"Palais Koller" is now the district authority building.
"Palais Koller" is now the district authority building.
"Palais Koller" | Night-Time View
"Palais Koller" | Night-Time View

Main Portal and Coat of Arms | Gallery 3

An oval "coat of arms" is positioned above the entrance.
An oval "coat of arms" is positioned above the entrance.
An oval "coat of arms" is positioned above the entrance.
An oval "coat of arms" is positioned above the entrance.
Main Entrance | "Palais Koller"
Main Entrance | "Palais Koller"

Historical Photograph
Image Source: Archive of the Municipal Authority of St. Veit an der Glan

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District Authority Building
Photograph taken around 1960

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