Hofburg Palace (Hofburg)

The Hofburg Palace was home to the Austrian Hapsburg emperors until 1918. The palace buildings have been constantly added to for over 800 years, with the first fortifications being erected by King Ottakar Premysl in the 13th century. Today, the palace serves as a repository of Austrian culture and history, embracing 22 separate museums, a 14th-century Augustinian church, the famous Spanische Hofreitschule (Spanish Riding School), the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (National Library), as well as the president’s offices. The most popular of the museums are the Imperial Apartments (the former apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, which are open to the public), the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Silver Collection. The Vienna Boys’ Choir sings Sunday mass at the Royal Chapel.