The Hofburg

Washington University: 19th Century Architectural Photography Collection; The former residence of the Habsburg family (from the end of the 13th century), the Holy Roman Emperors (almost continually from 1452 to 1806) and the Austrian emperors (until 1918). The Hofburg is an extensive, irregular complex of buildings of varying dates in the south-western part of the inner city. From the 15th century it housed parts of the administration of the Habsburg empire and from the 17th century some imperial offices. It now accommodates the Apartment of the State President, some public institutions, a congress centre and important museums. Its main components include the Schweizerhof (Schweizertrakt; 13th century); Stallburg and Amalienburg (16th century); Leopoldinischer Trakt (17th century); Reichskanzleitrakt, Winterreitschule and Hofbibliothek (18th century); and the Heldenplatz, Burgtor, Neue Burg and Michaelerfront (19th century).Grove Dictionary of Art