The Hofburg Palace complex was built between the 13th and 20th century.
The Hofburg was the centre of the Habsburg empire for over 600 years and also the main residence of the imperial family until 1918. Today, the Hofburg is the official seat of the Austrian Federal President (situated in The Leopoldine Wing).
The Hofburg, which is vast having been expanded over the centuries, includes many buildings in styles of Gothic to Baroque.
The complex includes museums (Albertina, Sisi Museum, Kunsthistorisches, Naturhistorisches); chapel (Burgkapelle); Church (Augustinerkirche), the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal); The Spanish Riding School (Spanish Reitschule); Imperial apartments (used by Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth) ; the halls of the Imperial Treasury (Schatzkammer); Gardens (Volkgarten & Burggarten); Squares (Heldenplatz, Josefsplatz, Ballhausplatz); . The 1913 curved building, Neu Burg contains the Ephesus & Volkerkunde Museums.
The main entry to the Hofburg is by the Michaelerplatz, entering the complex through the 1893's St Michael's Portal (Michaelertrakt), with its imposing copper dome.
How to Get There
U-Bahn: U3 Herrengasse
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