Vienna’s Hofburg Palace has been the royal residence for ages. The Hapsburgs - successive rulers of the Austro-Hungarian empire - have resided here as far back as the 16th century. The grand palace complex is a melange of architectural styles from Neo-Gothic to Classical Revival and Baroque. You can see even more types of architectural influences throughout its 2,600 rooms.
The Swiss Court is a large courtyard named after the mercenaries who once stood guard there. To get here you will go through a huge gate called the Michaelertor. Above this is a golden dome that is well worth a look. Inside you will see several interesting statues of the Hapsburgs - former residents of the palace.
There are many other outstanding sights within the Vienna Hofburg and among them are the Royal Apartments. Set your eyes on them and you will realize the word ‘apartment’ is not enough to refer to their grandeur. Here, the Emperor Franz Josef and his wife, the Empress Elizabeth dressed or retired for the day… in luxury and style.
Visitors can see their portraits by Winterhalter. Sissi, as Empress Elizabeth was known to royals and commoners alike, looks very relaxed and at home with her hair flowing freely. Another shows her dressed in a white ball gown with her hair formally coiffed and decorated with stars. Franz Josef looks on from the next painting, resplendent in his red and white military uniform.
Even the children get their turn, as several items reveal what life must have been like for them. Many of their toys are on display. One of Sissi’s rooms nearby exhibits some of her exercise equipment, a novelty at the time.
The Imperial Chapel is another sight to see. This part of the Vienna Hofburg is considered as the official home of the Vienna Boys choir. The choir dates back five centuries and many classical music legends had been part of it as young boys. Among them a young Haydn and Schubert. In his last day as a member of the choir, Schubert scribbled onto one of the musical scores: “F. Schubert has crowed for the last time.”
The treasury is also worth a visit. Called Schatzkammer in German, here visitors can see many of the crowns used by rulers of the Austrian empire. The oldest crown dates back to the 10th century. But you can also see other precious items like fine silverware, ornaments and decor. One particular notable item is a gold and bronze centerpiece used as a table decoration during banquets. This single piece is 33 meters (108 feet) long!
Not far away is the famed Spanish Riding School or the Lipizzaner. On the other side is the National Library, and Neue Burg, which houses hundreds of suits of armor and weapons. Both still considered part of the Vienna Hofburg.
By the time you have finished a tour of the grand palace buildings and grounds, you’ll feel know how life must have been for members of the royal court. It’s definitely great to be King!
Other destinations in Vienna:
Prague is so close to Vienna and shouldn’t be missed! So if your time is limited, this day tour offers a stress-free way to visit Prague from Vienna. You’ll travel across the beautiful countryside of Moravia and take an extensive city tour of Prague, the Golden City.
Your ticket enables you to see the oldest and also one of the most modern zoos of the world, the Schonbrunn Zoo - with Giant Pandas, Koalas, Elephants and much more. Ride on Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel, the oldest in the world, the Wiener Riesenrad, with a beautiful view over the city of Vienna.
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