Michaelertrakt, Imperial palace facade in Innere Stadt, Austria
The Michaelertrakt is the northern wing of the Hofburg Palace in the Innere Stadt in Vienna, Austria, featuring a curved facade, a large copper dome, and two fountain groups arranged symmetrically in front. Inside, a ceremonial hall with colonnades and ornate chandeliers once served for court receptions.
The original design for the Michaelertrakt was drawn up by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach in the early 18th century, but construction stalled for a long time. The building was only completed under Emperor Franz Joseph I in the second half of the 19th century.
The Michaelertrakt marks the main entrance to the Hofburg and serves as one of the most used passageways in the city center. Stepping through the gate, visitors move in a few steps from the open square into the quieter inner courtyards of the former imperial residence.
The Michaelertrakt is easy to spot from Michaelerplatz, which is directly reached from Kohlmarkt. Those who want to see the sculptural groups on the facade up close should take some time and approach the building from different sides.
Excavations carried out beneath Michaelerplatz in the 1990s uncovered remains of Roman-era and medieval buildings directly under the square. These finds are visible today in a small open display area on the square itself.
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