Neue Burg (New Palace), Vienna
The New Palace鈥攁 name that鈥檚 a bit misleading, considering its grand Neo-Renaissance face has been looming over Vienna since 1913. The final and flashiest addition to the Hofburg complex, this architectural swan song took a leisurely 32 years to complete, just in time for the Habsburg Empire to politely implode five years later. Talk about bad timing...
Still, it did briefly serve as home to Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination would famously kickstart World War I. Cozy little prelude to global chaos, really...
During the 1930s, the palace got a political makeover. Under Austro-fascist rule, it became a stage for glorifying Austria鈥檚 medieval muscles and authoritarian dreams. The Nazis then upped the ante, transforming it into both an exhibition hotspot and a logistical center for art theft on an imperial scale. The first floor was used as a depot for looted masterpieces. A little less 鈥済allery,鈥� a little more 鈥済rand theft culture.鈥�
And then came 1938, when the building gained infamy as Adolf Hitler addressed the crowd from its terrace鈥攖he now-infamous 鈥淗itler balcony.鈥� That speech sealed Austria鈥檚 annexation into Nazi Germany, making the New Palace ground zero for one of the 20th century鈥檚 darkest turns. Today, that same balcony stands not as a triumphal remnant but as a stark reminder of how power, history, and architecture can collide.
But history marches on, and post-1945, the palace pivoted from a symbol of dominance to a site of reckoning. Now it鈥檚 packed with museums鈥攁nd thankfully, none of them involve looting.
Inside, you鈥檒l find the Austrian National Library, with more than 12 million objects, including rare books, papyri older than some civilizations, and a Globe Museum featuring nearly 700 globes. Who knew round things could be so fascinating?
You鈥檒l also stumble into the Ephesos Museum with ancient finds from modern-day Turkey and Greece, and the House of Austrian History, opened in 2018, which helps Austria keep track of its rather complicated past.
And don鈥檛 forget the fa莽ade, adorned with 20 statues of historic Austrian personas: Roman soldiers, merchants, knights, even the Marcomanni (the ancient Germanic tribe who set up a powerful kingdom north of the Danube). Each figure carved by a different artist, proving that even imperial posturing can be a team effort...
Tips for Visitors:
If you're under 19, the entry is free.
Wheelchair rental? Yes, but call a day in advance and give the front desk a heads-up 15 minutes before arrival.
Arms & Armor and Ancient Instruments are accessed by elevator only. For Ephesos Museum鈥� prepare to climb 60 steps.
Still, it did briefly serve as home to Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination would famously kickstart World War I. Cozy little prelude to global chaos, really...
During the 1930s, the palace got a political makeover. Under Austro-fascist rule, it became a stage for glorifying Austria鈥檚 medieval muscles and authoritarian dreams. The Nazis then upped the ante, transforming it into both an exhibition hotspot and a logistical center for art theft on an imperial scale. The first floor was used as a depot for looted masterpieces. A little less 鈥済allery,鈥� a little more 鈥済rand theft culture.鈥�
And then came 1938, when the building gained infamy as Adolf Hitler addressed the crowd from its terrace鈥攖he now-infamous 鈥淗itler balcony.鈥� That speech sealed Austria鈥檚 annexation into Nazi Germany, making the New Palace ground zero for one of the 20th century鈥檚 darkest turns. Today, that same balcony stands not as a triumphal remnant but as a stark reminder of how power, history, and architecture can collide.
But history marches on, and post-1945, the palace pivoted from a symbol of dominance to a site of reckoning. Now it鈥檚 packed with museums鈥攁nd thankfully, none of them involve looting.
Inside, you鈥檒l find the Austrian National Library, with more than 12 million objects, including rare books, papyri older than some civilizations, and a Globe Museum featuring nearly 700 globes. Who knew round things could be so fascinating?
You鈥檒l also stumble into the Ephesos Museum with ancient finds from modern-day Turkey and Greece, and the House of Austrian History, opened in 2018, which helps Austria keep track of its rather complicated past.
And don鈥檛 forget the fa莽ade, adorned with 20 statues of historic Austrian personas: Roman soldiers, merchants, knights, even the Marcomanni (the ancient Germanic tribe who set up a powerful kingdom north of the Danube). Each figure carved by a different artist, proving that even imperial posturing can be a team effort...
Tips for Visitors:
If you're under 19, the entry is free.
Wheelchair rental? Yes, but call a day in advance and give the front desk a heads-up 15 minutes before arrival.
Arms & Armor and Ancient Instruments are accessed by elevator only. For Ephesos Museum鈥� prepare to climb 60 steps.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vienna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Neue Burg (New Palace) on Map
Sight Name: Neue Burg (New Palace)
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Vienna, Austria
Create Your Own Walk in Vienna
Creating your own self-guided walk in Vienna is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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"I have the gift of neither the spoken nor the written word, especially if I have to say something about myself or my work. Whoever wants to know something about me - as an artist, the only notable thing - ought to look carefully at my pictures" 鈥� Gustav Klimt.
Klimt's name is indelibly linked to Vienna. The renowned symbolist painter was a prominent figure in the city. As a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Klimt's name is indelibly linked to Vienna. The renowned symbolist painter was a prominent figure in the city. As a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Old Town Churches Walking Tour
"Vienna is the city of miracles and music" 鈥� Whoever said that must have emphasized Vienna's close association with the Christian faith. The intertwining of Christian heritage and artistry in the Austrian capital finds expression primarily in its magnificent churches.
Sitting at "the crossroads of Christian traditions", Vienna is home to various Christian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Sitting at "the crossroads of Christian traditions", Vienna is home to various Christian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Vienna Introduction Walking Tour
A city of green parks, opulent architecture, elegant shopping, crowded theaters, and boulevards for leisurely sauntering 鈥� Vienna, the capital of Austria, embodies a blend of regal tradition and contemporary vibrancy. The origin of the city's name is rooted in Roman times, stemming from the Celtic word Vedunia, meaning 鈥渇orest stream鈥�, which later evolved into Vindobona, a Roman... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour II
If there are cities that flirt, Vienna is definitely the one. Here, even the buildings know how to do it.
Around the turn of the 20th century, the Austrian capital caught the Art Nouveau fever and decided that straight lines, drab walls, and historical imitation simply wouldn鈥檛 do anymore. Instead, it took to ornamental swirls, flowing curves, floral flourishes, and enough decorative detail... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Around the turn of the 20th century, the Austrian capital caught the Art Nouveau fever and decided that straight lines, drab walls, and historical imitation simply wouldn鈥檛 do anymore. Instead, it took to ornamental swirls, flowing curves, floral flourishes, and enough decorative detail... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Johann Strauss Walking Tour
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Strauss, the son had a personal connection with Vienna deeply rooted in its cultural fabric. Not only was he born here and spent most of his life, but also he achieved tremendous... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Strauss, the son had a personal connection with Vienna deeply rooted in its cultural fabric. Not only was he born here and spent most of his life, but also he achieved tremendous... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Vienna Introduction Walking Tour II
Vienna, the former capital of the once mighty Austro-Hungarian Empire, is the second largest city in the German-speaking world after Berlin. Steeped in history, today's Vienna is still much revered for its cultural grandeur. The abundance of it, manifested in imperial palaces, diverse museums, and historic churches, beckons annually over 6 million guests from around the world.
One of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
One of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
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