The Hofburg is a former Habsburg palace in Innsbruck, and considered one of the three most significant cultural buildings in the country, along with the Hofburg Palace and Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. The Hofburg is the main building of a large residential complex once used by the Habsburgs that still includes the Noblewomen's Collegiate Foundation, the Silver Chapel, the Hofkirche containing Emperor Maximilian's cenotaph and the Schwarzen Mandern, the Theological University, the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, Innsbruck Cathedral, the Congress, and the Hofgarten (Court Garden).

The original Hofburg palace was constructed from several elements under Archduke Sigismund around 1460. This structure included sections of medieval fortifications that ran along the eastern city wall. The building incorporated the Rumer Gate, which was later converted into the Heraldic Tower in 1499 by Jörg Kölderer under Emperor Maximilian I. The palace was expanded several times during the next 250 years. Between 1754 and 1773, the Hofburg palace underwent two stages of Baroque structural changes under Empress Maria Theresia: the south tract was constructed (1754–1756) on the Hofgasse according to plans by J. M. Gumpp the Younger, and the main façade was added (1766–1773) on the Rennweg according to plans by C. J. Walter. During this period, the Giants' Hall was completed with ceiling frescoes by F. A. Maulbertsch, and the Imperial Chapel was built (1765) in the room where Maria Theresa's husband Emperor Francis I had died.

Today, the Hofburg contains five themed museum areas: Maria Theresa's Rooms from the eighteenth century, Empress Elisabeth's Apartment from the nineteenth century, a Furniture Museum, an Ancestral Gallery, and a Painting Gallery. These themed museum areas illustrate various aspects of the political and cultural history of the former imperial palace, which remained in the possession of the Habsburgs for more than 450 years.

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Founded: c. 1460
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Austria

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User Reviews

MIHIR SATHE (2 years ago)
A very very beautiful palace in Innsbruck. Must visit place. You can explore the old architecture and paintings from the 17th century and it's all so well preserved ! Very nice to see the palace !!
Alisa P. (2 years ago)
Having a list of more prominent castles and palaces in the background, I was a bit disappointed about this one. But might be worth a visit with an audioguide if you’re into history of Habsburgs. The main big hall (recently restaurated) is lovely.
Bouke Regnerus (2 years ago)
Great museum, with a modern exhibition about Maximilian I and opened up spaces of Maria Theresia.
Arnav Agarwal (2 years ago)
This is a beautifully kept palace however they don't allow pictures inside. They have fee-free days so look for those before visiting. Would recommend during a visit to Innsbruck.
Petar Matić (2 years ago)
The renovations were done with incredible expertise. There was a film showing the before and after images. AMAZING amount of work. Rooms were furnished with period items and a complete dining table with all the fine table ware was impressive. No photos allowed which was a bit disappointing
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Ludwig II, who was crowned king in 1864, began his building activities in 1867-1868 by redesigning his rooms in the Munich Residenz and laying the foundation stone of Neuschwanstein Castle. In 1868 he was already making his first plans for Linderhof. However, neither the palace modelled on Versailles that was to be sited on the floor of the valley nor the large Byzantine palace envisaged by Ludwig II were ever built.

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