Ambras Castle sits on a hill just outside Innsbruck. Archduke Ferdinand II of Tyrol transformed the medieval fortress into a Renaissance palace, and its museum is considered among the oldest in the world. The castle has a lower and an upper part, and the highlights are the armour, the Spanish Hall and the Habsburg portrait gallery. Allow a couple of hours for the museum, then walk the gardens, which look out over the city and the Nordkette range.
From fortress to Renaissance palace
Ambras began as a medieval fortress on a hill above the Inn Valley. Archduke Ferdinand II, son of Emperor Ferdinand I and ruler of Tyrol, had it rebuilt as a palace. The reason is a marriage. Ferdinand wed Philippine Welser, a commoner, on the condition that the couple lived outside the city. The castle was completed in the 16th century, and the collections he gathered there now form the museum.
Ferdinand's collections are the reason the museum is considered among the oldest in the world. Part of the site is a branch of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, and some rooms still show the arrangement of the 16th century.
Inside the lower and upper castle
The castle is divided into a lower and an upper part, and each one has its own focus. The lower castle holds the main armoury and the Chamber of Art and Curiosities. The armour collection includes around 100 original suits from well-known generals.
The upper castle has several floors of exhibitions, including a glass collection and the Habsburg portraits. The Hall of Antiquities is also part of the museum. The collections include one of the largest coral collections in Europe, which makes the visit feel more varied than a typical castle tour.
The Spanish Hall and the portrait gallery
The Spanish Hall is about 140 feet long. It is a banquet hall with a richly carved wooden ceiling and portraits of Tyrolean nobles, and it is the room most visitors come to see. Classical music concerts are held there regularly.
The Habsburg Portrait Gallery displays more than 200 paintings. Works by Lucas Cranach, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Anthony van Dyck and Diego Velázquez hang among them, which makes the gallery one of the main reasons to stay for the full visit.
Gardens and grounds
The castle sits in an English garden with paths, a herb section and spots for a picnic. The garden is a calm place for a walk after the museum, and the views reach across Innsbruck to the Nordkette range. Peacocks walk freely through the park.
The grounds are open without a museum ticket, so you can walk the garden even if you do not plan to go inside.
Getting there
The Sightseer bus runs about every half hour between the castle and central stops, including the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) and the Hofburg. You can also take Post bus line 540 from the Hauptbahnhof, which passes Kaiserschützenplatz, Olympiaworld and Tivoli Stadion.
A taxi from the city centre takes about 10 minutes, the walk about 45 minutes and the bus about 30 minutes. The entrance and restrooms are wheelchair accessible, and there is accessible parking.
Perguntas frequentes
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, for the museum. Entry is included in the Innsbruck Card, and the garden and park can be walked without a ticket.
How long do you need?
Most visits inside the castle take 1.5 to 2 hours. Allow more time if you want to walk the grounds.
How do I get there from Innsbruck?
Take the Sightseer bus, which runs about every half hour from central stops including the Hauptbahnhof and the Hofburg, or post bus line 540 from the Hauptbahnhof. A taxi from the centre takes about 10 minutes.
Can I bring a bag inside?
Not into the upper castle. Bags must go into the lockers, which charge a fee.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, the site is marked as good for kids, and the garden gives them room to walk.
