Page 248 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

246  A USTRIA REGION b y REGION

Hofkirche

Hofkirche, the court church, was built by Ferdinand I
to house the tomb of his grandfather, Emperor
Maximilian I. The tomb was designed by Maximilian
himself and although his plans were never fully
realized, the ensuing structure, completed in 1587,
is very impressive indeed and ranks as a masterpiece
of Renaissance sculpture. At the centre of the church
stands the sarcophagus with a kneeling figure of the
emperor. Reliefs on the side panels depict scenes from
the emperor’s life; the tomb is guarded by larger-
than-life cast-iron statues. The tomb is,
in fact, empty – Maximilian was Vaults
laid to rest in Wiener Neustadt, The vaults acquired their present
form in the early 17th century,
in Lower Austria. when the church was rebuilt in
the Baroque style.

. Tomb of Maximilian I
The cenotaph, at the centre of
the church, is guarded by giant
figures representing members of
Maximilian I’s family, including his
daughter- in-law, Joanna the Mad,
and his spiritual forefathers.

Main Portal Main
The grand Renaissance portal entrance
leading into the church was
built in 1553–63 as a tribute
to the House of Maximilian I.

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

246-247_EW_Austria.indd 246 03/09/15 5:44 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.1)
Date 5th December 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm