Page 248 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

246  A USTRIA REGION B Y REGION

Hofkirche

Hofkirche, the court church, was built by Ferdinand I
to house the cenotaph of his grandfather, Emperor
Maximilian I. The cenotaph was designed by
Maximilian himself and although his plans were
never fully realized the ensuing structure,
completed in 1584, is very impressive indeed and
ranks as a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture.
It stands in the centre of the church, alongside
a kneeling figure of the emperor, and is guarded
by 28 larger-than-life bronze statues. Reliefs on the
side panels depict scenes from the
emperor’s life. Maximilian’s body was Vaults
laid to rest in the castle of Wiener The vaults acquired their present
form in the early 17th century,
Neustadt, in Lower Austria. when the church was rebuilt in
the Baroque style.

. Cenotaph of Maximilian I
The cenotaph, at the centre of
the church, is guarded by 28 giant
figures representing members of
Maximilian I’s family.

Main Portal Main
The grand Renaissance portal entrance
leading into the church was
built in 1554 as a tribute
to the House of Maximilian I.

KEY
. Silberne Kapelle
1 Kneeling figure of Emperor The silver chapel
Maximilian I holds the tombs of
2 An onion dome crowns the Archduke Ferdinand II
octa gonal tower of the church. and his beloved wife,
Philippine Welser.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp298–9 and pp323–4

246-247_EW_Austria.indd 246 12/09/17 3:04 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.1)
Date 5th December 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm