Attraction Court Church

It is a little eerie when you pass 28 dark, larger-than-life bronze figures on your way to Emperor Maximilian's tomb in the Hofkirche. But take courage: a visit to this magnificent church with its numerous treasures is well worth it.

Description

28 black men stand guard in the Imperial Court Church, which is why Innsbruck locals call it the "Black Man Church". However, the life-size bronze figures are not guarding the church, but the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I inside it. Curious: eight of the "black men" are women, and the emperor's sarcophagus is empty. But it is artfully crafted and beautiful to look at.

Highlights and heroes

Maximilian is actually buried in Wiener Neustadt. However, the church walls and foundations there were not stable enough to bear the weight of his lovingly detailed companions. He had meticulously planned their construction before his death. Nevertheless, it took another three decades after his death for them to be completed. But who would guard the emperor post mortem? The prince chose heroic and virtuous ancestors and figures to do so. His two wives, Maria of Burgundy and Maria Sforza, were among them. As well as the Tyrolean Archduke Sigmund, King Ferdinand of Portugal and even the legendary King Arthur.

Resting place of the freedom fighters

The imperial tomb occupies the central place in the church. The church is also home to legendary local heroes such as the freedom fighter Andreas Hofer. In 1809, he led thousands of brave Tyroleans on the Bergisel against the superior forces of Napoleon's troops. And was executed for it in Mantua. But he is still revered as a hero in Innsbruck. Incidentally, the Hofkirche is also the resting place of his comrades-in-arms Josef Speckbacher, Joachim Haspinger and Kajetan Sweth.

Visitors to the Hofkirche should not miss the Silver Chapel. Two other famous Innsbruck residents are buried here: Archduke Ferdinand II and his wife Philippine Welser. She was a local superstar during her lifetime: queen of hearts, herbal expert, bathing mermaid and even accused of witchcraft by evil tongues. A magnificent silver altar with a Madonna by court architect Giovanni Lucchese dominates the room alongside another special feature: an organ whose pipes are made entirely of wood.

Organs and choir

Organ fans get their money's worth in the Hofkirche, as there are also two organs in the main room. One is the almost 500-year-old swallow's nest organ by Jörg Ebert. It is the largest and best-preserved Renaissance organ in Austria. In the gallery there is a more recent example, built around 1900 by Hans Mauracher.