Hofburg Palace

The Hofburg Palace encompasses nineteen courtyards and eighteen wings across a massive complex that spans several city blocks in central Vienna, featuring Renaissance architecture with elaborate facades, grand state rooms, ceremonial halls, and beautifully decorated imperial apartments that showcase centuries of Habsburg grandeur.

Originally constructed in 1279 by Ottokar II of Bohemia, the Hofburg Palace served as the principal winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty for over 600 years, with continuous expansions and renovations by architects including Filiberto Lucchese, culminating in its official opening to the public in 1913.

The palace complex houses multiple cultural institutions including the Sisi Museum dedicated to Empress Elisabeth, the Imperial Treasury containing priceless crown jewels and regalia, the Spanish Riding School with its world-famous Lipizzaner horses, and the Weltmuseum Wien showcasing global ethnographic collections.

Visitors can purchase combined tickets ranging from €12 to €51 that provide access to various attractions including the Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, and Silver Collection, with guided tours available throughout the year and convenient location in Vienna's historic city center.

The Hofburg Palace remains the only former imperial residence in Europe that continues to function as an active seat of government, serving as the official residence and workplace of Austria's Federal President while simultaneously operating as a museum complex open to the public.

Location: Innere Stadt

Inception: 1279

Architects: Filiberto Lucchese

Official opening: 1913

Architectural style: Renaissance architecture

Website: http://hofburg-wien.at

GPS coordinates: 48.20639,16.36528

Latest update: July 23, 2025 15:13