The history of the Schwanthaler family began around 390 years ago in 1633, when Hans Schwabenthaler moved to Ried. But it was his son Thomas who made the breakthrough. In 1669, he bought a “half-walled, half-wood dwelling” in Priesterzeile. Thomas changed his name to Schwanthaler. Over the centuries, the family produced 21 sculptors. The leading masters among them were:

Thomas Schwanthaler

his son, Johann Franz Schwanthaler

and his son, Johann Peter Schwanthaler the Elder.

Their work can be seen in Ried parish church, in the Innviertel Museum of Folklore and in many churches in the surrounding region.

Franz Jakob Schwanthaler moved to the artistic metropolis of Munich at the end of the 18th century and founded a workshop there.

His son, Ludwig Schwanthaler, was supported by  King Ludwig I of Bavaria. He created the Bavaria statue in Munich and the Mozart memorial in Salzburg.

Johann Peter Schwanthaler the Younger was the last sculptor of the family in Ried. He died in 1838. 30 years later the importance of the family of sculptors was commemorated. A large Schwanthaler festival was held and Priesterzeile was renamed Schwanthalergasse. A frieze was installed on the façade of the original Schwanthaler house. It represents four  members of the family from the 19th century: Johann Peter the Younger, Franz Xaver Ludwig Michael and Franz Schwanthaler.

The initial letter of the inscription “Stammhaus der Schwanthaler” (or original Schwanthaler house) is designed as an elegant crest, with the S in the form of a swan with a thaler in its beak.

Looking for some Schwanthalertorte? You can enjoy the home-made cake at the Konditorei Mayer on Stelzhamerplatz.

Want to pay with a ten-Euro Schwanthaler note? This Ried payment method is accepted in selected stores.