hofburg Quarter

Just off the square, down Herrengasse, is the Mollard-Clary Palace with a terrific façade designed by J. L. Hildebrandt and other residences with illustrious histories and owners.

Within in the Hofburg Complex lies the President of Austria's offices, the Austrian National Library with the famous Prunksaal (wood-paneled Hall of Honour), several museums, the Augustinerkirche church, the Burgkapelle chapel, the Winter Riding School and the Stallburg Stables. The range of architecture is a good indication of the longevity of Austrian Imperialism.

Just off Michaelerplatz is the Michaelertrakt, the curved façade with an imposing dome of copper and gold gilt. Through the Michaelertor in the courtyard is the Amalienburg with a Renaissance façade and a Baroque clock tower. On the northern side is the Schweizertor, a gateway that leads to the oldest part of the Hofburg. The entrance to the State Apartments and Treasuries is on the southern side of the courtyard.

Beyond the courtyard is the Heldenplatz offering views of the Neue Burg (Hitler announced the union of Austria and Germany here), the Prince Eugene Statue and the Burgtor, the outer gate built in the early 1800s. Around the corner is the Burggarten with the Mozart Memorial. A statue of the composer stands just inside the Ringstrasse entrance. We especially liked the musical staffs worked into the lawn with flowers.

Afterwards, we wandered down Kärntner Strasse to enjoy some more window shopping. This street was originally the main highway to Carinthia in medieval times.

Whereizzit