"The Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna, Austria" by PetraofVancouver

Hofburg Palace complex is located in the heart of the city of Vienna. For over 6 centuries it was the imperial home of the Habsburg royal family. The building architectural styles range from Gothic to late 19th century historicism and stretch over quite a few city blocks and parks. This sprawling complex of buildings is open till late at night and horse drawn carriages use the Heldenplatz area. At the Hofburg you will find the world famous Winter Riding School (Lipizzaner stallions); the Imperial Apartments museum; the Albertina art gallery; the Michaelertor; the National Library; the Imperial Treasury; a imperial court chapel the Burgkapella; the church of the Augustinians; the huge Heldenplatz square; two large gardens - the Burggarten and Volksgarten; the Butterfly House and Palm House; Museum of Ethnology; and many other museums.

The Burggarten and the Volksgarten can be found at the edges of the Hofsburg palace. The Burggarten is where you can find the Butterfly House and the Palm House. There are a few statues in this garden including the famous Mozart Memorial.

The Michaelerplatz is a large square that faces the massive north-east entrance, the Michaelertor, into the Hofburg. Here you will find a few very grand water fountains. Interesting, a few years ago, excavation in the Michaelerplatz discovered Roman walls and other foundations. They left a pit open for display in the very centre of the square.

The Habsburgs formed the Spanische Reitschule or Spanish Riding School in 1572. The famous specially bred Lipizzaner stallions begin their training at the age of 3. The stud farms are near Graz, while the shows are held at the Winter Riding School at the Hofburg. There is also a museum there about the history of the Lipizzaners.

At the far corner of the Hofburg complex is the Albertina. This art gallery houses one of the world's finest collections of prints, watercolours, drawings and photographs. The highlights of this include artwork from Durer, Michelangelo and Rubens.

The Michaelerplatz is a large square that faces the grand entrance of the Hofburg, the Michaelertor. Opposite is the Michaelerkirche church and Loos Haus.

In the Neue Burg building is where you will find the Hofburg Congress Centre, Austrian National Library, Papyrus Museum, Ephesus Museum, Collection of Ancient Musical Instruments, Armoury Musuem, and the Museum of Ethnology.

At the Burggarten the statues there include Emperor Franz Joseph, composer Amadeus Mozart, and literary genius Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.