Hofburg Imperial Palace

Built in the 13^th the palace served the Habsburg dynasty for more than six centuries. The palace is in the center of Vienna in the Heldenplatz (Heroes Square), and it is currently serving as the workplace and residence of the President of Austria. The palace complex consists of numerous buildings reflecting the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo architectural styles periods. The main attractions in the palace complex are the Imperial apartments, the private and official chambers of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth Apartments including 24 Rococo style rooms decorated with rich stucco work, magnificent chandeliers, Gobelin tapestries, period furniture, paintings, and various artifacts.
In the palace numerous museums and art collections including the Sisi Museum devoted to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the Imperial Silver Collection, The Hofburg Treasury home to the imperial jewels, an enormous collection of Imperial regalia and relics of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Imperial Gothic Chapel. On the palace grounds the Austrian National Library, the beautiful gardens of Volksgarten, and the 16^th century Spanish Riding School considered one of the leading riding schools in the world which offers highly popular Lipizzans’ horses riding shows.

The Sisi Museum tells the life story of the legendary Empress Elisabeth with part of its collection are numerous personal items and artifacts of the empress, her famous portraits, original clothing items, the Hungarian coronation jewels, and more. Also, in the museum is a large model of the Hofburg surroundings from the beginning of the 20^th century.

The Imperial Silver Collection includes porcelain and crystal glasses, magnificent centerpieces and services, as well as simple copper kitchenware. Also, part of the collections are porcelain from East Asia, panoramic plates, glazed earthenware, gold and silverware.

Imperial Treasury

Imperial Silver Collection

Sisi Museum

Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School is home to the world-famous white stallions equestrian Lipizzaners horses, offering the highest standard of horse-riding art in the Baroque setting of the Imperial Palace. An unforgettable experience of precis moves of the Lipizzan horses in perfect harmony with music. Consult www.srs.at for shows and tours time tables and ticketing.

The Imperial Treasury is home to the most important treasury in the world, including 10^th century imperial crown of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, the 17^th century Austrian imperial crown, the 15^th century Burgundian treasure, the treasure of the order of the Habsburg dynasty, and many more fabulous treasures.

Hofburg Imperial Chapel is a place to enjoy the Hofmusikkapelle by the Vienna Boys’ Choir, and members of the orchestra and choir of the Vienna State Opera, performing musical works by old and new masters.