Wilhelm J. Sluka
Encyclopedia
Wilhelm J. Sluka or the Conditorei Sluka is a famous Konditorei
and café
in Vienna
, and a traditional k.u.k. Hoflieferant.
It is located at Rathausplatz 8 (previously Reichsratsstrasse 13) in the first district
of Vienna, the Innere Stadt
.
The Konditorei was founded in 1891 by Wilhelm Josef Sluka and his wife Josefine. On the basis of his high-quality products Sluka received in 1896 the title of "confectioner to the k.u.k.
court" ("k.u.k. Hofzuckerbäcker"). The café was patronised by customers of the highest social strata, including the Empress Elisabeth
. Its central location and discrete atmosphere attracted ministers and representatives from the nearby Parliament Building
on the Ringstrasse, gentlemen from the Rathaus, stars of the Burgtheater
and members of the nobility and bourgeoisie.
Sluka still enjoys great popularity, particularly among tourists.
In 2000 the establishment was awarded the Goldene Kaffeebohne ("Golden Coffee-Bean") by Jacobs
.
Konditorei
Konditorei is the German word for a pâtisserie and confectionery shop. A Konditorei typically offers a wide variety of pastries and is like a little café. In Germany and Austria it is a very popular custom to go to a Konditorei to have a cake and some coffee or hot chocolate mid-afternoon...
and café
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, and a traditional k.u.k. Hoflieferant.
It is located at Rathausplatz 8 (previously Reichsratsstrasse 13) in the first district
Districts of Vienna
The districts of Vienna are 23 named city sections of Vienna, Austria, which are also numbered for easy reference. For centuries, district boundaries have changed...
of Vienna, the Innere Stadt
Innere Stadt
The Innere Stadt is the 1st municipal District of Vienna . The Innere Stadt is the old town of Vienna. Until the city boundaries were expanded in 1850, the Innere Stadt was congruent with the city of Vienna...
.
The Konditorei was founded in 1891 by Wilhelm Josef Sluka and his wife Josefine. On the basis of his high-quality products Sluka received in 1896 the title of "confectioner to the k.u.k.
K.u.k.
The German phrase kaiserlich und königlich , typically abbreviated as k. u. k., k. und k. , or k. & k., refers to the Court of the Habsburgs in a broader historical perspective . Some modern authors restrict its use to the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary from 1867 to 1918...
court" ("k.u.k. Hofzuckerbäcker"). The café was patronised by customers of the highest social strata, including the Empress Elisabeth
Elisabeth of Bavaria
Elisabeth of Austria was the spouse of Franz Joseph I, and therefore both Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary. She also held the titles of Queen of Bohemia and Croatia, among others...
. Its central location and discrete atmosphere attracted ministers and representatives from the nearby Parliament Building
Austrian Parliament Building
The Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna is where the two Houses of the Parliament of Austria conduct their sittings. The building is on the Ringstraße boulevard in the first district Innere Stadt, close by the Hofburg Palace and the Palace of Justice.The main construction lasted from 1874 to 1883...
on the Ringstrasse, gentlemen from the Rathaus, stars of the Burgtheater
Burgtheater
The Burgtheater , originally known as K.K. Theater an der Burg, then until 1918 as the K.K. Hofburgtheater, is the Austrian National Theatre in Vienna and one of the most important German language theatres in the world.The Burgtheater was created in 1741 and has become known as "die Burg" by the...
and members of the nobility and bourgeoisie.
Sluka still enjoys great popularity, particularly among tourists.
In 2000 the establishment was awarded the Goldene Kaffeebohne ("Golden Coffee-Bean") by Jacobs
Jacobs (coffee)
Jacobs is a brand of coffee that traces its beginnings to 1895 in Germany by Iohann Jacobs and is today marketed in Europe by Kraft Foods. Major markets are Austria, the Baltic countries, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Azerbaijan,...
.
Further reading
- Haslinger, Ingrid, 1996: Kunde – Kaiser. Die Geschichte der ehemaligen k. u. k. Hoflieferanten. Vienna: Schroll ISBN 3-85202-129-4
- Haslinger, I., Patka, E., Jesch, M.-L., 1996: Der süße Luxus. Die Hofzuckerbäckerei und die ehemaligen k. u. k. Hofzuckerbäcker Demel, Gerbeaud, Gerstner, Heiner, Rumpelmayer, Sluka. (exhibition by the Kulturkreis Looshaus). Vienna: Agens Werk Geyer + Reisser ISBN 3-9500302-4-7