Michaelerplatz

You’re now standing in what many consider the most beautiful square in Vienna —Michaelerplatz. This Baroque square is named after St. Michael’s church, a Romanesque rarity in the city dating back to 1219, and served as the parish church for the court’s servants. The square, however, was built in the late 19th century, but it didn’t always look like this! For centuries, it had an irregular layout, until it was redesigned to make space for the Hofburg’s grand northern façade, called the Michaelertrakt. It was first envisioned in the 1700s as a curved gateway to the city centre, but construction didn’t begin until the 1880s, after the old theatre that stood here was demolished. The main gate is guarded by four massive Hercules sculptures, each carved from a 25-tonne block! On either side of the façade, you’ll see a striking fountain, one known as Power at Sea and the other, Power on Land. Take a closer look to admire the details—each was sculpted by a different artist and inaugurated in 1895 and 1897 respectively. Both are now listed as historic monuments. Across the square stands the Herberstein Palace, built on the former Dietrichstein Palace grounds, which once housed Café Griensteidl. You may not recognise the name, but it was a legendary literary café, and a popular spot for Vienna’s intellectual elite. Just next to it is the Looshaus, a masterpiece of Viennese modernism that boldly contrasts the traditional Baroque architecture of the old town. To top this journey through styles and eras, you’ll see Roman ruins and medieval foundations in the square’s centre, uncovered during construction works. Michaelerplatz is a symbol of Vienna’s significance from antiquity to the present day.