Hofburg Palace
Hofburg
The Habsburgs' winter palace for 600 years, now home to the presidential office, the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, the Silver Collection, the Spanish Riding School and the magnificent hall of the National Library.
The Hofburg has been the residence of the Habsburg family since the 13th century. Successive emperors kept expanding it into a vast complex covering 240,000 square meters, with 2,600 rooms and 18 wings, making it one of Europe's largest palace complexes. Today it serves as the office of the Austrian president and houses several museums. Main attractions: The combined ticket for the Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments and Imperial Silver Collection costs about €20 and includes an audio guide. The Sisi Museum displays Empress Elisabeth's gowns, jewelry, diary and the file used in her assassination. The Imperial Apartments are the living quarters, study and gymnasium of Franz Joseph and Sisi. The Silver Collection displays royal tableware and the giant table used for a centennial banquet in Milan. The Spanish Riding School features Lipizzaner horses. Morning exercise sessions cost about €16, and formal performances cost about €30–150. Book in advance. The Prunksaal, the magnificent hall of the National Library and a Baroque library masterpiece, costs about €10. The Imperial Treasury (Schatzkammer), with the crowns of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria, costs about €14 and can be combined with the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The Augustinian Church contains the Heart Crypt, which holds the hearts of 54 Habsburg family members. The Michaelertor (St. Michael's Gate) is the main entrance, and the circular hall beneath its dome is a popular photo spot. On the Heldenplatz side is the Neue Burg (New Palace), which houses the World Museum and collections of armor and early musical instruments. Its balcony is where Hitler announced the annexation of Austria in 1938. Getting there: take U3 to Herrengasse station, or walk 5 minutes from the Opera House along the Ring. On Sunday mornings around 9:15, Mass with the Vienna Boys' Choir takes place at the Court Chapel (reservations required). The People's Garden (rose garden) and the Burggarten (Mozart statue) around the palace are good places to rest.
Opening hours
Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments 09:00–17:30 (until 18:00 in Jul–Aug); other museums vary
Nearby sights
- Graben & Kohlmarkt
- St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Café Central
- Mozarthaus Vienna
- Spanish Riding School
- Sigmund Freud Museum
- Imperial Crypt (Kapuzinergruft)
- Austrian National Library State Hall