Ambras Castle Innsbruck

The World’s Oldest Museum!

The Tyrolean Prince Archduke Ferdinand II (1529-1595), son of Emperor Ferdinand I, had the medieval Ambras Castle converted into a Renaissance palace as a gift for his wife Philippine Welser. The humanist-educated Habsburg representative housed his world-famous collections in a specially erected museum building. This makes Ambras Innsbruck Castle the first museum in the world.

Renaissance Castle

Archduke Ferdinand II had the medieval Ambras Castle, the popular sight in Innsbruck, converted into a Renaissance-style residential palace. He gave the castle to his wife Philippine Welser showing great generosity. Even before the start of construction, he had signed over the castle and associated power to her.

Schloss Ambras im Schnee

Armoury

In his armoury, the prince collected armour as well as weapons and portraits of famous personalities. In addition to hero's armoury, body armoury, Turkish armoury, and the baroque armoury, the collected tournament weapons are the centre of attention.

Rüstungen im Schloss Ambras

Chamber of Art and Curiosities

The Ambras collection of Archduke Ferdinand II was one of the most valuable of its kind in the 16th century already. It is still in its place of origin to this day, as the only Renaissance chamber of art. Visitors will find artistic and handicraft exhibits as well as scientific instruments, rare exotic natural objects, and extraordinary portraits of outstanding scope and quality.

Schloss Ambras von Innen

A Renaissance Jewel

Ferdinand was one of the most important collectors in history. The armoury shows masterpieces of European plating. The Kunst- und Wunderkammer is the only Renaissance chamber of art preserved in its origi-nal location and is thus an incomparable cultural monument. 


The Spanish Hall is one of the most beautiful Renaissance halls. Frescoes in grisaille painting adorn the inner courtyard of the Upper Castle. The Bathing Chambers of Philippine Welser are a cultural historical rarity. The Castle Chapel is dedicated to St. Nicholas. In the Strasser glass collection you can see precious Renais-sance and Baroque glasses. During summer months, the three floors of the Habsburg Portrait Gallery are accessible as well. The paintings there are by famous painters such as Hans Burgkmair, Lukas Cranach the Elder, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Peter Paul Rubens, Diego Velázquez, and others.
 

Opening hours

daily from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm

 

Closed in November

Admission is always possible up to half an hour prior to closing.

 

The Habsburg Portrait Gallery and the collection of Gothic sculptures are open from April to October.

How to get here & Contact

Ambras Castle Innsbruck
Schlossstraße 20 | 6020 Innsbruck, Österreich
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Schloss Ambras auf der Karte
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