The Hofburg Palace, one of Viennese palaces, is surely the most impressive. The dynasty of Habsburg resided there for six centuries and every generation had its own contribution in the building extension. The first emperor who lived in Hofburg was Rudolf I (1279 r), and the last – Charles I (1918 r.). Nowadays in winter this is the official residence of Austrian president (In the summer the president resides in Schönbrunn Palace). It is a tradition that every Sunday the Vienna Boys Choir sings in Hofburg.

For six hundred years the main building was enlarged and there were built palaces (for example Amalia’s Palace from XVI century), chapels (Hofkapelle, Hofmusikkapelle, Burgkapelle – built by Frederic III and rebuilt in the baroque style by the empress Maria Teresa), museums (Naturhistorisches, Kunsthistorisches), the National Library, Treasury, the National Theatre, the Horse Riding School, and Stables. Read the rest of this entry »