Michaelerplatz

Michaelerplatz

The Vienna audio-guided tour brings you to Michaelerplatz, often considered the most beautiful square in the city. This Baroque square owes its name to the nearby church of St Michael and opens onto the majestic north facade of the Hofburg.

An imperial square

The church of St Michael, which gave the square its name, was designed in the 13th century to serve as the parish church for the court servants; dating from 1219, it is one of the few Romanesque buildings in Vienna. The square was redesigned during the construction of the Michaelertrakt, the huge curved north facade of the Hofburg, conceived from the 1700s but built from 1880, after the demolition of the former court theatre.

What there is to see

The main gate of the Michaelertrakt is flanked by four sculpted groups depicting Hercules, each carved from a twenty-five-tonne block. On either side, two monumental fountains represent power at sea and power on land. At the centre of the square, Roman remains of Vindobona are visible in the open, recalling the ancient origins of Vienna.

Practical information

Michaelerplatz can be seen freely, on foot, in the heart of the historic centre, between Kohlmarkt street and the Hofburg. It is a pedestrian crossroads accessible at any time. The Roman remains and imperial facades can be admired in the open; the church of St Michael, a neighbouring place of worship, can be visited with respect for the services.

Why does the square bear this name ?

It takes its name from the neighbouring church of St Michael, one of the few Romanesque buildings in Vienna, which dates from 1219.

What is the Michaelertrakt ?

It is the huge curved north facade of the Hofburg, adorned with Hercules groups and two monumental fountains, built from 1880.