Christmas Eve Stroll in Vienna, Plus a Visit to St. Michael's Church
add_circle Pros
- The Hofburg palace is a total game changer – the architecture is mind-blowing and the history is fascinating.
- Our guide was super knowledgeable and made the experience feel really personal.
- The Imperial Gate is an iconic landmark that's not to be missed.
- The New Castle is a beautiful addition to the Hofburg complex and looks stunning in the evening light.
- The Hofburg Courtyard is a great place to learn about Austrian history and culture.
- The tour was well-organized and ran smoothly, making it easy to get around and see everything.
- The evening stroll through Vienna was a great way to take in the city's festive atmosphere.
- St. Michael's Church is a beautiful and peaceful oasis in the midst of the bustling city.
remove_circle Cons
- Some of the tour groups can be pretty big, which might make it hard to hear the guide or get a good spot in front of the palace.
- The tour doesn't include any food or drink, so you'll need to budget for that separately.
- The Hofburg palace can get pretty crowded, especially during peak tourist season.
- The tour doesn't cover any of the surrounding neighborhoods, which might be worth exploring on your own.
- The guide's commentary can be a bit dry at times, so you might find yourself zoning out.
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Editor's Summary
I gotta say, our tour of Vienna was off to an amazing start with a visit to the stunning Hofburg palace. The Imperial Winter Residence of the Austrian Emperors is a must-see, especially at night when the New Castle is lit up. Our guide took us through the Imperial Gate and into the Hofburg Courtyard, where we got to see some incredible architecture and history. It's definitely worth every penny for the experience alone.
Specifications
Our tour of Vienna kicked off with a visit to the Imperial Winter Residence of the Austrian Emperors, the Hofburg palace.
Vienna. HofburgFrom the Maria Theresa Square side, we walked through the Imperial Gate with a guide to the Hofburg Courtyard, Heldenplatz.
Vienna. HofburgThe New Castle, the latest addition to the Hofburg complex, looked stunning in the evening light. Vienna. Hofburg
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Vienna. HofburgOn the Heldenplatz, there are two horse statues facing each other.
One is of Archduke Charles II of Austria, the son of Queen Anne of Bohemia from the Jagiellonian dynasty.
Vienna. HofburgThe City Hall towers are visible in the background.
The other statue is of Prince Eugene of Savoy, a military leader of the Holy Roman Empire who fought in the Austro-Turkish War, the Seven Years' War, and the War of the Polish Succession.
At the time, Russia was ruled by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was governed by Augustus II, the Elector of Saxony.
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Vienna. HofburgThere are souvenir shops on the Hofburg grounds:
Vienna. Hofburg I've got to say, the real showstopper here is the collection of items featuring Empress Sisi - they're super popular and really give you a sense of the palace's history. Vienna. Hofburg
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Vienna. HofburgNext up, we've got a series of transitions through the palace's inner courtyards, each with its own unique historical name: the Swiss Wing, Amalienburg, the Leopoldine Wing, the Imperial Chancellery, the Court Library, the Augustinian Wing, the Redout, and the Festival Hall.
One of the courtyards even has a monument to Emperor Francis I
Vienna. HofburgThe grand red Swiss Gates are a real treat:
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Vienna. HofburgOur guide points out the balcony door, where the silhouette of Marie Therese (Sisi) is lit up.
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Vienna. Hofburg Vienna. HofburgOne of the most ornately decorated wings is the St. Michael's Wing, and it's packed with sculptural compositions. I mean, just check out these photos: Vienna. Hofburg
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Vienna. HofburgThe dome is equally breathtaking: Vienna. Hofburg
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And then there's the statue of Heracles defeating the Lernaean Hydra at the entrance to the St. Michael's Wing from the Michaelsplatz side: Vienna. Hofburg
St. Michael's Square. Hofburg PalaceI was blown away by the Eastern wing of the Hofburg Palace, which is named after the stunning St. Michael's Church across the square - one of the oldest buildings in Vienna, dating back to the 13th century. I managed to snap a few photos of the church's interior, and it's truly breathtaking.
One of the frescoes I saw, dated back to the 14th century, is of St. Michael weighing souls between Mary and the Baby Jesus and Satan. This weird structure - either a cabinet or a balcony - is literally glued to the wall and ceiling joint, like a bird's nest: St. Michael's Square:
Vienna. Hofburg PalaceBe sure to check out my video of Vienna's Christmas markets, architecture, and landmarks, including the ice skating rink on City Hall Square