DK Travel : Vienna : Hofburg Palace

Hofburg Palace

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The Hofburg, Vienna’s former Imperial Palace, is a lavish complex of buildings spread over a considerable area within the city centre. Once home to emperors, the medieval castle was enlarged gradually up until 1918, and as the power of the Habsburgs grew, successive emperors added buildings in contemporary styles – the New Palace (Neue Burg ) is the most recent and spectacular section. Today the Hofburg houses the offices of the Austrian president, an international convention centre, the Winter Riding School where the elegant white Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School perform (see pp16–17), various official and private apartments, and several museums and state rooms which are open to the public.
The Hofburg complex has 18 wings, 54 staircases and some 2,600 rooms. In 1938, on Heroes’ Square, the masses cheered Adolf Hitler when he announced the incorporation of Austria into the Third Reich.

Top 10 Features

1. Imperial Apartments

The private apartments (Kaiserapartments ) in the Amalia Wing are preserved as they were in the day of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth (see p15).
2. Swiss Gate

This Renaissance gatehas red-and-black marble columns and gold inscriptions. Its name refers to the Swiss guards employed by Empress Maria Theresa in the 18th century.
3. Silver Depot

This collection of elaborate table decorations, serving bowls and other silverware is proof of the splendour that marked meals at the imperial court.
4. Secular and Ecclesiastical Treasuries

Magnificent artifacts are on display here, such as lavish monstrances. Sixteen rooms are dedicated to the gems and relics of both the Austrian and the Holy Roman Empires.
5. Imperial Chapel

Although the original Gothic interior with carved statuary was altered by Maria Theresa, the chapel (Burgkapelle) remains one of the oldest parts of the palace. The atmosphere of former times can still be felt, where once composers such as Mozart gave musical performances.
6. National Library

6. National Library

The Baroque library was constructed by Josef Emanuel Fischer von Erlach from 1723–6. It is considered to be among the world’s finest, with invaluable historic manuscripts in walnut-wood bookcases.
7. Heroes’ Square

Equestrian statues of Prince Eugen of Savoy and Archduke Charles dominate the large Heroes’ Square (Heldenplatz) , which was formerly a parade ground.
8. Museums

The semi-circular Neue Burg, with its vast colonnaded façade, is home to a collection of musical instruments as well as an assemblage of arms and armour. Also here are the Ethnological and the Ephesus Museums (see p14).
9. Burggarten and Volksgarten

Both parks owe their origins to the Napoleonic troops who blew up parts of the palace in 1809 to make way for greenery.
10. Michaeler Gate

The majestic semi-circular Michaeler Gate is the main entrance into the complex, and its imposing dome with golden decorations looms over Michaelerplatz.

Practical Information

Every Sunday the Vienna Boys’ Choir sings mass at 9:15am in the Imperial Chapel. Book tickets in advance. Innerer Burghof/ Kaisertor 01 533 75 70 Open 9am–5pm daily Dis. access Adm €7.50