For more than seven centuries, the empire of the Habsburgs was ruled from here. Even after the monarchy, it remains the official seat of the Austrian head of state – the federal president. From the 13th century onwards, the Habsburgs expanded this huge palace in stages to a total floor area of over 300,000 m². Vienna's Imperial Palace is thus one of the biggest integrated palace complexes in the world.

Historically developed complex

The Gothic Hofburg Chapel, where the Vienna Boys' Choir performs during High Mass every Sunday, is a lasting reminder of the original medieval castle. The oldest part still in existence is the Swiss Wing with the imposing red-and-black Swiss Gate. Directly connected to it is the Amalienburg and the Leopold Wing, which today houses the official seat of the Austrian federal president. The open space between them bears the resounding name "In der Burg" (In the Castle). Further towards the city center, the Imperial Palace ends with St. Michael's Wing and its bronze dome. The complex continues along the Burggarten until it ends shortly before the Vienna State Opera. The final phase of construction, together with many Ringstrasse buildings, produced the most eye-catching section: The semicircular Neue Burg on Heldenplatz.

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Art and culture on every corner

Today, some of Vienna's most visited museums and collections are housed in the Imperial Palace – mainly with an imperial background, of course. In the Sisi Museum, everything revolves around the world-famous Empress Elisabeth: The story of the real Sisi is told here, in contrast to the cult film series "Sissi". The former official and residential rooms of the Habsburgs can be viewed in the Imperial Apartments. The Imperial Treasury and the Imperial Silver Collection show valuable insignia (including the legendary crown of the Holy Roman Empire) and extraordinary table services of the Habsburgs.

The focus is on animals for the guided tours and performances of the Spanish Riding School, where the world-famous Lipizzaners and their riders carry out precision riding maneuvers and tricks. At the southern tip stands the Albertina with its masterpieces of classical Modernism and one of the world's most important graphic art collections. Another highlight is the Ceremonial Room of the Austrian National Library. It is the oldest Baroque library in Europe and among the world's most beautiful.

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The extensive offering of museums is rounded off by the Weltmuseum Wien, the House of Austrian History, the Ephesos Museum, the Papyrus Museum, the Collection of Arms and Armour, and the Austrian Film Museum. Much more culture in one spot than this is rare in the world. And up to 300 events a year are held in the Hofburg Congress Center against an imperial backdrop.

With the Vienna City Card, you'll enjoy discounts for many of the cultural offerings in Vienna's Imperial Palace:

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Heldenplatz: Tourist hotspot and recreational area

Historic Heldenplatz, once planned as an extensive imperial forum (but never implemented), is dominated by the monumental equestrian statues of Prince Eugene and Archduke Karl. This spot affords the best view of the Neue Burg and the Leopold Wing. The meadow is not only used by tourists as a recreational area: Many Viennese come here in fine weather for a picnic or to practice trendy sports like spikeball or yoga. In the immediate vicinity, there's a whole bunch of parks and green areas to relax in – the Volksgarten, the Burggarten, and Maria-Theresien Platz.