Sis(s)i in the movies (Empress Elisabeth, Sissi and Romy)

What do Ernst Marischka’s Sissi films have to do with the Vienna Furniture Museum? This guided tour addresses that question directly.

As filming at the original locations was not possible in the 1950s, the interior scenes of all three Sissi films were shot in studios. The vast collection of Habsburg furniture from the Vienna Furniture Museum provided the perfect imperial setting. The tour tells the story of the films’ production, their great international success, the remarkable Romy Schneider, historical facts and their romanticised portrayal on screen.

The tour also focuses on the “real” Empress Elisabeth, as the museum holds an impressive collection of original furniture and personal memorabilia. Reconstructed film sets combined with short film clips in several languages make this tour a vivid and immersive experience.

“Sissi sticks to me like semolina pudding,” Romy Schneider once said about the role. As the young Sissi, she outshone everything else and continues to shape the image of Empress Elisabeth to this day.

Duration: approx. 60–90 minutes

Tip: Special guided tours marking the 70th anniversary of the “Sissi” films

To mark the 70th anniversary of the first Sissi film, two special guided tours “Sis(s)i in Film” will take place at the Vienna Furniture Museum on 28 December 2025.

• 11:00 am – guided tour in German
• 3:00 pm – guided tour in English