Mar 44 min read

Ambras Castle

The first museum in the world.

Ambras Castle is one of the most important sights in Austria and also has a lot in store for little princess and knight visitors.

History

„Not far from Inspruck is located on a hill.“ Martin Zeiller, 1632

In our time, it no longer causes much of a stir when royal princes marry civilly. Things were completely different 450 years ago, when Archduke Ferdinand II of Austria married Philippine Welser from Augsburg. Over the years the magnificent collections grew.

The cultural and historical significance of Ambras Castle undoubtedly lies in the fact that Archduke Ferdinand II brought together his then widely famous collection of armour, weapons, portraits and natural objects, the latest scientific instruments, musical instruments and art objects as well as a library here.

Since Ambras was only a permanent residence under Archduke Ferdinand II and Philippine Welser, it fell into disrepair quickly after their deaths. It served as a storage place for the Ambras art collections, which could also be viewed. Soon after Ferdinand's death, the elaborate gardens were converted into kitchen gardens and only the infrastructure remained. It has been owned by the Republic of Austria since 1919.

Discover the castle

„Well furnished and decorated with many very beautiful and rare things“ Heinrich von Hyssen, 1690

It is visible from afar and is located on a rock on the outskirts of the Tyrolean capital in the middle of an extensive castle park.

In the high castle you can visit, among other things, the famous Spanish Hall, the St. Nicholas Chapel and the Philippine Welser bath. The basement houses the armory, art chambers, various collections and galleries. The extensive castle park offers a pond, beautifully landscaped gardens and exciting walking paths to a small waterfall.

Free-roaming white and blue peacocks can be admired throughout the area. During the mating season you can also observe the impressive spectacle when the males flap their tail feathers into an impressive wheel. In combination with a rattling noise, it is said to scare away predators and attract females who are ready to mate.

Children in the Schloss Ambras

Children's birthday

Celebrate your birthday with the old knights or discover Ferdinand's treasures in the Chamber of Art and Curiosities. Fight the Hydra with Hercules or would you rather know how to dress and move like a real princess?

Children's tours

Every Saturday at 2.30 p.m. there is an exciting program where the children can learn a lot, but also have the opportunity to discover, attack or try out a lot.

With various themes such as 'Fabulous Animals' or 'Harry Potter and the Chambers of Ambras', the tours for children aged 5 and over can be booked daily from 10 a.m. They cost €90 for 60 minutes and €120 for 90 minutes.

Puppet theater

After a short tour through the armory and the Chamber of Arts and Curiosities, the children experience an exciting puppet theater that humorously illuminates the festival culture of the Renaissance.

The Playground

A little hidden in the southeastern part of the castle park you will find a newly built children's playground. Go straight through the main entrance to the small pavilion and continue past the Bacchus Grotto to the “Rapunzel Tower”. There is a bridge on the right that leads over a gorge. Afterwards you can either go up steeply via the stairs or along the forest path. Both paths lead to the playground directly under the castle wall within a few minutes. There are now several swings, a climbing tower with a slide, a sandpit, a small trampoline and seesaw equipment.

A highlight - the annual castle festival

Celebrate like back in the day - Ambras Innsbruck Castle as the setting for one of the largest cultural festivals.

The Ambras Castle Festival takes place annually on August 15th and invites its visitors to celebrate and be amazed in the impressive setting of Ambras Castle Innsbruck. The castle festival is a joint event with the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music and focuses on art, culture, music and cuisine.

Date & Time: August 15, 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m

Admission: Admission is free.

Free parking at the DEZ area: The DEZ shopping center provides free parking spaces to visitors to the castle festival. A free shuttle bus takes guests every 15 minutes between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. from the DEZ (bus stop opposite IKEA) via the Tivoli Stadion stop to Ambras Castle Innsbruck. Parking is not possible on Schlossstrasse in front of the castle on August 15th (a limited number of disabled parking spaces are available).

Prices

Adults December to March: € 12

Adults summer: € 16

Children & young people up to 19 years: free

Food

The Café and Bistro Ferdinand offers museum and park visitors not only a comfortable haven of peace during museum opening hours, but also a rich library to browse through. Refreshments (cold and warm drinks) are available in the cash desk/shop area.

Parking

There is a paid parking lot (green zone) in front of the main gate to the castle area on Schlossstrasse. Alternatively, you could park at the DEZ shopping center and walk to the castle. The path is relatively steep in some places but barrier-free. You can then reach the castle via the lower entrance to the castle garden.

Opening Hours

The castle is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed in November.)

(As of 2024)

Contact

Schloss Ambras

Schlossstraße 20

6020 Innsbruck

Tel.: +43 1 525 24 - 4802