Ambras Castle

The incredibly beautiful Ambras Castle (Schloss Ambras) is known in every city in Austria. If you find yourself near Innsbruck, do not miss a chance to visit this historic landmark. Schloss Ambras is very beautiful, vast, majestic, and extremely charming. Its carved ceilings, doors and mosaic frescoes can impress even the worldliest seasoned traveler. Ambras is surrounded by a carefully manicured green park, where you can relax after a long walk through the halls of the palace.

Here are a few interesting facts for those who are interested in history. Schloss Ambras was rebuilt by the order of Emperor Ferdinand II, who made this ancient castle his actual residence.

Apart from the fact that the Emperor was a great lover of the arts and was interested in science, he was also distinguished by courage. Not all members of the royal family of that time would have ventured on a secret marriage with a woman from a common background. Ferdinand II, however, got engaged to the beautiful Philippine Welser and settled with her at the Renaissance-style palace in Innsbruck, as his wife was forbidden to come to the courtyard.

It is worth saying that Schloss Ambras is different from most palaces in Austria. For all its majesty and grandeur, it is still a formidable fortress. It consists of the Upper and Lower Castles. Today the Lower Castle hosts two exhibits. These are the Chambers of Armour, and the peculiar Chamber of Art and Curiosities, or as it is called the Chamber of Сuriosities. The Chambers of Armour are especially loved by the boys of all ages, the vast stockpile of knightly weapons and medieval armor excites and intrigues them. In the past the collection of the Chambers of Armour was one of the richest in Europe. Today a large number of its exhibits are distributed to numerous museums in Vienna.

Children also like to visit the Kunstkammer. Here they can find original musical instruments, unusual statues and figurines made of coral, old scientific instruments, portraits of strange and scary creatures, and other wonders.

Spanish Hall, which is also located in the Lower Castle, was built in the XVI century. Until now, Spanish Hall is considered to be one of the most beautiful halls in its era of Renaissance style.

The Upper Castle will be no less interesting to guests of Ambras, both large and small. Today The Habsburg Portrait Gallery is located here. If you visit that Gallery, you will be surprised by the wealth of displays: walls of The Gallery are covered with two hundred paintings by world famous artists such as Titian, Anton van Dyck, Diego Velázquez, and others.

After walking on the old parquet of Ambras Palace and enjoying its rich collections, take a look in the local shop before leaving. Here you can find memorable accessories, designed for customers with any budget. The choice is really huge: children’s toy armor and books, CDs, textiles, replicas of medieval utensils, weapons and helmets, jewelry made to replicate historical pieces, stationery, postcards and posters, sweets, and of course- magnets!