Bad Ischl in Upper Austria used to be the favorite retreat for the ruling family of the Austrian Empire. The Habsburg family liked it so much that they bought property here and many other wealthy families followed suit. Hence, in the end of the 19th century many beautiful and spacious villas were built in different styles, such as classicist, art deco and traditional. Furthermore, there is a plethora of interesting churches and administrative buildings in Bad Ischl worth visiting.