HOFBURG, Introduction

Hi, my name’s Marcy, and I’m your personal guide. Along with MyWoWo, I’d like to welcome you to one of the Wonders of the World: the Hofburg.

The Hofburg, the huge imperial palace of the Habsburgs that dominates the center of Vienna, has a history that spans seven centuries. Between the thirteenth century and the threshold of the twentieth century, a series of buildings were gradually added or overlapped to form a predominantly Baroque-style whole as grand as it is complicated to visit.

Each new emperor wanted to leave his mark on the complex, which consists of 18 different buildings, arranged around 16 courtyards, which also incorporate two churches and house several important museum collections. An incessant flow of tourists marks the most attractive and frequently visited parts, but minor detours are sufficient to discover almost secret passages, majestic arches and unexpected views. To visit all these beautiful areas, and to avoid getting lost, I recommend consulting the maps you’ll find in the various courtyards....