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.

The greatest architects worked at the project of the palace. Among them there were Filiberto Luchese, Lodovico Burnacini, Martino and Domenico Carlone, or Lukas von Hildebrandt, Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach, and Johann Fischer von Erlach (he worked at the project of the library - Prunksaal).

Before the Hofburg Palace became the residence of Austria's emperors it had been the seat of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. The palace was probably constructed by Babenberges or Ottakar II the Great . The oldest part of the palace, Schweizerhof (the Swiss Court), was occupied by the Swiss Guard which in XIII century protected Hofburg. We can find there the Swiss Gate (which was rebuilt in the Renaissance style in 1533) and next to the gate there is a square, called In der Burg, with the statue of Francis II.

In the imperial apartments tourists can see rich decoration, furniture, tapestries, crystal chandeliers, or the collections of Chinese porcelain and table-services (Visitors can find the collections in the Silver Hall - Silberkammer). But the objects exhibited here are not the only things that tourists can admire in the rooms. Even if the Hofburg Palace is so important place on a map of Vienna, it is not as splendid as Schönbrunn, the summer residence, that is full of baroque decorating. Of course while visiting Hofburg we can not forget about the Imperial Treasury, where visitors can see amazing treasures such as 2860-carat Colombian emerald, 416-carat ruby, 492-carat aquamarine, Ferdinand's goblet and a piece of the agate, or the Imperial Crown from X century and the insignia of Rudolf II from 1602. All these treasures are masterpieces of the worked jeweller. But in that place visitors can also admire sacred treasures like the piece of authentic Cross, the nail from crucifixion and thorn from the Crown of Thorns, or the ministers' garments made from the most expensive and softest fabrics.

The Renaissance elements of the palace combine with the baroque architecture. And the best example of this combination is the Austrian National Library (Prunksaal) designed in 1723-1726 by the Fischer von Erlach family ( Joseph and his father Johann). It was Charles VI who ordered to build the library (Thanks to his so-called Pragmatic Sanction his daughter Maria Teresa Habsburg could inherit the throne from him). His statue is situated in the main dome which is decorated with frescos from Daniel Gran . In showcases visitors can see manuscripts from XV century which are open on beautifully decorated pages.

People who are interested in this place can easily find the accommodation in that part of Vienna.

One November night in 1992 there was a fire in the palace. It started near Redoutensäle on Joseph Square. The fire destroyed the part of the roof and upper floor. The renovation of this part of the building was held to 1997. Now the ceiling is decorated with Josef Mikl's paintings.