Hofburg Palace

Welcome to Heldenplatz, Vienna’s historic Heroes’ Square. This area was part of the city’s defensive walls until the 19th century. A large bastion once stood here, protecting the Hofburg, but it was blown up by Napoleon’s troops during the War of the Fifth Coalition, shortly before they took control of the city. A century later, this empty space was transformed into Heroes’ Square by Emperor Franz Joseph as part of his Imperial Forum project – an ambitious architectural vision that was never completed. Today, you can admire the Neue Burg, or “New Castle” from the square, the Palace’s newest wing. The Hofburg was the Hasburgs’ winter residence, while their summers were spent in the Schönbrunn palace. Over the centuries, it housed nearly all of Austria’s rulers, and even those of Austria-Hungary. Since 1946, it has been the official residence of the President of Austria. It’s had quite the transformation from a small fortress in the 13th century, to becoming the city’s biggest palace. Its several expansions, centuries, and reigns are reflected in the building’s diverse architectural styles. During the Habsburg empire, the Hofburg was Vienna’s political heart, spanning an astonishing 240,000 square meters. It’s one of the city’s most fascinating and unmissable landmarks. The palace is spread across 18 different wings, the newest one dating back to the late 19th century. Its Neo-Baroque façade is adorned with 20 historical Austrian figures, sculpted between 1895 and 1901. These figures were chosen from a list compiled by renowned Austrian art historian Albert Ilg. This wing used to be a grand ballroom, and today it houses several museums and the Austrian National Library – the largest Baroque library in Europe, and one of the most beautiful in the world. The State Hall alone is enough to leave you speechless. 80 metres long, 20 metres high, and topped with a magnificent painted dome. It holds over 200,000 books, including 15,000 works from Prince Eugene of Savoy’s library, and one of the largest collections of writings by Martin Luther from the Reformation. And the cherry on top? Two stunning Venetian globes, each over a metre wide—one celestial, the other terrestrial. It really gives you a sense of just how big this place is… But the palace’s highlights don’t stop there! Inside, you can discover the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Treasury, and the Silver Collection. You’ll also find the Imperial Chapel, a congress centre, the Spanish Riding School, and the current residence of the President of the Republic. This place will keep you busy!