Hofburg Palace

Background

The Hofburg stands in the centre of Vienna, facing Heldenplatz. Its name means court castle; it was the principal palace of the Habsburg dynasty in Austria and the imperial winter residence. The complex includes the Swiss Wing, the Amalienburg, the Burgkapelle, the Court Library, the Imperial Treasury, the Burgtheater, the Spanish Riding School and the Imperial Stables. The oldest part of the Swiss Wing dates from the 13th century and is now the Swiss Court, home to the 15th-century Gothic court chapel and the Imperial Treasury, which holds the insignia of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Empire. The Court Library hall holds Prince Eugene's book collection beneath ceiling frescoes. The Augustinian Church was the Habsburg court church and wedding venue, where Franz Joseph I married Elisabeth (Sisi). The Redoutensäle ball and concert halls were converted by Maria Theresa from a 17th-century opera house, and Beethoven's Eighth Symphony premiered there in 1814. The Hofburg was first built in the 13th century by the Bohemian king Ottokar II and extended many times thereafter; it has been the documented seat of government since 1279. From 1438 to 1583 and from 1612 to 1806 it was the seat of the Habsburg kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, then until 1918 the residence of the Austrian emperors; since 1946 it has been the official residence and workplace of the Austrian Federal President, and it is also the permanent seat of the OSCE. Heldenplatz belongs to the Kaiserforum planned under Franz Joseph I, a scheme that was never completed. Architects involved in the extensions include Lukas von Hildebrandt, Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and his son Joseph Emanuel; the Neue Burg was built from 1881 to 1913. In September 1958 parts of the palace opened to the public as a conference centre.

Local customs

• Admire the Neue Burg facade and the equestrian statue of Archduke Charles on Heldenplatz
• visit the Imperial Treasury, the Court Library hall and the Augustinian Church to learn about Habsburg court life and imperial symbols
• explore the Spanish Riding School and Burgtheater area to sense the court's performing traditions
• as you pass the Swiss Gate, look for the titles of Ferdinand I and the emblem of the Order of the Golden Fleece.

Travel tips

• The complex is large and each wing serves a different purpose, so plan your route wing by wing and allow plenty of time
• opening areas and ticket prices for each wing are as officially announced. The Hofburg is in central Vienna and easy to reach by public transport or on foot
• check official information for specific routes.
• You can visit all year
• most exhibits are indoors, so winter and summer both work well. Spring and autumn are best for walking the square, and in summer remember sun protection.