Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

400 CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp408–409

The Hofburg Complex 1

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 Hofburg is
particularly impressive when seen from Heldenplatz.
This is one of Vienna’s most lively areas, both by day
and at night, when the rooms of the palace
serve as a theatre and concert halls.

Statue of

Joseph II

(1806) in

Josefsplatz

Schatzkammer

(the treasury)

is housed in

the Alte Burg.

Michaelertor is

the gate through

which visitors reach

the older parts of

the palace.

Burggarten

Prunksaal
The showpiece of the Austrian National
Library is the grand, wood-paneled
Prunksaal, or Hall of Honor.

Stallburg

. Spanish
Riding School
The gracious interior of
the riding school is lined
with 46 columns and
adorned with elaborate
plasterwork, chandeliers
and a coffered ceiling.

STAR SIGHTS

. Augustinerkirche
. Spanish Riding School
. State Apartments

Albertina, built in
1781, now houses
one of the finest
collections of
graphic art
in Europe.

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