Imperial and Royal Technical Military Academy
20th century
### 20th century

Since the buildings of the Viennese collegiate barracks no longer met the requirements of a technical military academy towards the end of the 19th century, people began to look for a new location. The choice fell on building a new military academy in Mödling. On the northern slope of the Eichkogel, 18 hectares of a pasture was purchased by the Reich Ministry of War for four million crowns from the city of Mödling in 1896\. This sum was to be paid off in installments over the next 54\.5 years, but the last installment was due to the collapse of Austria\-Hungary as early as 1918\. Despite the lack of installment payments, the city of Mödling benefited from the construction of the academy, as its popularity increased enormously and the economy also benefited from the frequent visitors.

In 1901, the construction of the main building and the other 25 individual buildings began according to the plans of the military chief engineer Paul Acham, which was completed in 1904 and opened on 4 November 1904 by Emperor [Franz Joseph](/wiki/Franz_Joseph "Franz Joseph"). Up to 370 students could live and be taught in the academy at this time. In addition, there was an almost self\-sufficient infrastructure. In addition to the facilities required for military operations such as stables and parade grounds, there was also a gardening shop, a butcher's shop, a sick and isolation pavilion, several libraries, a swimming pool, a hairdresser's room, etc.

With the [dissolution of Austria\-Hungary](/wiki/Dissolution_of_Austria-Hungary "Dissolution of Austria-Hungary") and after only 14 years of study at the Mödling site, the Imperial and Royal Technical Military Academy ceased operations on 12 November 1918 with the proclamation of the [Republic of German\-Austria](/wiki/Republic_of_German-Austria "Republic of German-Austria").


Did the collapse of Austria-Hungary affect the economy of Mödling in any way?