A Brief History of Vienna's Hofburg Palace
The swooping white curve of Hofburg Palace is a striking image to behold. This historically colourful building, in the centre of Vienna, has undergone numerous adaptations, with different wings of the building representing the various shades of Austria’s history – stretching back to the 13th century, when the building was constructed as the home of Austrian dukes. Today, it is used as the official residence and workplace of the Austrian president.
Hofburg translates literally to mean Court-Palace, and this has more or less been the function of the building ever since its construction. Hofburg Palace has been host to many of Austria’s historical heavyweights. For the best part of 600 years, it was the ostentatious abode of Austria’s longest reigning family, the Habsburgs. This family, as they did with Schönbrunn, transformed it into an extensive palatial complex – encompassing a staggering 18 wings, 19 courtyards and 2,600 rooms.
The Alte Burg (Old Fortress) is the building’s oldest section, known as the ‘Swiss Wing’ due to its former purpose as a watchtower for guards from Switzerland. The additions to the palace that subsequently followed in later centuries, added by various ruling emperors include; the court library (now Austria’s national library), the Imperial Chancellory Wing, which housed the chancellery of the Roman Empire, and the Winter Riding School, still used for Vienna’s prestigious Spanish Riding School.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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