Page 560 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

558  GERM AN Y , A USTRIA , AND SWITZERLAND

1 Hofburg

What began as a small fortress in 1275 grew over the centuries into
a vast palace, the Hofburg. It was the seat of Austrian power for
over six centuries, and successive rulers were all anxious to leave
their mark. The various buildings range in style from Gothic to late
19th-century Neo-Renaissance. The complex was still expanding
up until a few years before the Habsburgs fell from power in 1918.
The presence of the imperial court had a profound effect on
the surrounding area, with noble families
competing to site their palaces as close
as possible to the Hofburg.

. Augustinerkirche
The former parish church of the Habsburgs houses
the spectacular late 18th-century tomb of Maria
Christina, Maria Theresa’s favorite daughter, by
Antonio Canova.

. Spanish
Riding School
The white
Lipizzaner horses
are stabled in the
Stallburg opposite
the Riding School
itself, where they
are trained
and give
performances.

KEY
1 The Schatzkammer (rooms 5 The Albertina houses a collection
containing the Hofburg’s collection of Old Master drawings and prints.
of treasure) are housed in the Alte 6 Burggarten
Burg, the core of the old palace.
7 The Burgtor or outer gate was
2 The Michaelertor is the gate built to a design by Peter Nobile in
through which visitors reach the 1821–4.
older parts of the palace. 8 Heldenplatz
3 Stallburg 9 The Burgkapelle, the Hofburg’s Prunksaal
The showpiece of the Austrian
4 Statue of Joseph II (1806) chapel, is where the famous Vienna National Library (1722–35) is
in Josefsplatz Boys’ Choir sings. the grand, wood-paneled
Prunksaal, or Hall of Honor.
For hotels and restaurants see p574 and p575

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