the life and work of johann bernhard Fischer von erlach exemplify one of the ways in which italian ideas were transferred to central europe. fischer von erlach came from an austrian family of masons, and he was sent to rome for training in the studio of carlo fontana. during the sixteen years he spent in rome he became familiar with both ancient and contemporary works there, and these influences, combined with knowledge from travels across erope, were later reflected in his own designs and in the illustrated entwurf einer history of architecture which he published in 1721. fischer von erlach architectural fortunes were tied to those of the hapsburgs. he joined the imperial court at vienna as architectural fortunes were tied to those of the hapsburgs. he joseph i in 1689, was raised to the nobility in 1696, and seved as chief inspector of court buildings from 1705 until his death. during his lifetime, Austria experienced a surge of nationalistic pride after decisively repelling the turkish attack on vienna in 1683. seeking to create an impressive international city that would rival rome or versailles, viennese princes built baroque palaces and raised new churches.