Austrian Veganderlust contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you.  For more info, see the Disclosure Policy.

Visiting Hofkirche Innsbruck: Imperial Tombs & Hidden Rooms

ByTina Riegelnegg Updated on

The court church, or Hofkirche in Innsbruck is one of the most impressive historic sites in the city. It’s home to the (empty) tomb of Emperor Maximilian I, surrounded by 28 massive bronze statues.

The church is absolutely beautiful, just as I expected, but what stood out was the Maximilian multimedia experience. I didn’t realise how immersive it would be… or that I’d end up alone in dark room with a painting of the dead emperor. A bit spooky, but unforgettable.

In this post, I’ll walk you through what makes the Court Church unique, what to expect when you visit, and a few tips to make the most of your time there.

What Makes the Hofkirche So Unique

The Hofkirche was built in the 16th century to honour Emperor Maximilian I, one of the most influential figures in Habsburg history. But despite being the centrepiece of the church, his tomb is empty, his actual remains are buried in Wiener Neustadt.

What you see here is a cenotaph, a symbolic tomb surrounded by 28 towering statues, each over 2 metres tall. The level of detail is incredible. The figures are relatives, ancestors and role models of the emperor.

Standing among them feels like being part of a silent, permanent funeral procession. They’re sombre, striking, and a little intimidating.

Whether or not you’re into imperial history, the sheer scale and artistry of the monument make this one of the most visually impressive places to visit in Innsbruck.

What to Expect During Your Visit

Enter Through the Folk Art Museum

Charming courtyard garden framed by ivy-covered cloisters, with a stone fountain, manicured hedges, a life-sized chess set, and a statue at its center.

You’ll enter the Court Church through the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum. You can get a single ticket for the church, a combined ticket for the church and the museum, or visit both with the Innsbruck Card, which is what I recommend.

The entrance is through the inner courtyard, which is worth a moment on its own: there’s a picturesque cloister, a life-sized chess board, and some sun chairs in summer. It’s a surprisingly peaceful little corner.

Start with the View from Above

An elevated view of the Court Church in Innsbruck showing black-and-white checkered floors, towering pink marble columns, and a central tomb surrounded by life-sized bronze statues of historic figures, with an organ loft above the entrance.

If you enter the Folk Art Museum, you can get a first glimpse of the church from above.

This is only accessible through the museum and gives you a great look at the cenotaph and bronze statues from a higher perspective, a great way to take in the scale of it all before heading downstairs.

Explore the Tomb and Bronze Statues

Close-up of a life-sized bronze statue of a nobleman in armor with a feathered hat and shield, set against the baroque backdrop and ornate railing inside the Court Church.
Interior of Innsbruck’s Court Church (Hofkirche) with white vaulted ceilings, marble columns, and a row of dark bronze statues lining the aisle beside Emperor Maximilian’s cenotaph.

On the main floor, you can walk around Maximilian’s cenotaph, which is surrounded by 28 life-sized bronze statues. Seeing them up close is impressive, the detail is incredible.

Step into the Silberne Kapelle

A grand historical interior featuring a red vaulted ceiling painted with shell motifs, gothic chandeliers, arched windows, and a marble staircase beside a stone sarcophagus.

Behind the main church space is the Silberne Kapelle (Silver Chapel), known for its ornate silver altar.

Personally, I didn’t find the altar itself that striking, but the room as a whole is really beautiful. The historic tapestry, which only partly covers the walls, gives the space a rich, aged look that I loved.

Don’t Miss the Maximilian Rooms

Green-walled gallery room featuring a dramatic chandelier and dozens of framed sketches and paintings arranged salon-style, mostly depicting historical and religious scenes.
Four abstract human-like sculptures draped in white fabric, each holding a glowing lightbulb, arranged in a dimly lit vaulted room with wooden panels.
Darkened room with a glowing orange globe encased in a metal armillary sphere labeled “A.E.I.O.U.,” surrounded by stars and astrological symbols on the floor and ceiling.

At the end of your visit, look for the entrance to the Maximilian Rooms, a hidden gem that many people walk past. It’s a multimedia audio experience that tells the story of Maximilian’s life and rule, spread out across three rooms.

Here’s how it works:

  • In Room 1, you press a button for your language and wait as a narrated story begins. The room is covered with paintings.
  • After the audio finishes, a door opens automatically into Room 2, which continues the story.
  • Wait again, and another automatic door opens into the final room. An atmospheric room with linen-wrapped statues holding torches and a painting of Maximilian on his deathbed.

Many people miss it because they don’t realise you have to wait for the audio to finish, but I found it fascinating and well worth the extra few minutes. I didn’t know much about Maximilian before, and this gave me a much better understanding.

Tips for Visiting the Hofkirche

  • Plan for about 30–45 minutes to take in everything, more if you visit the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum as well
  • Get the Innsbruck Card if you also want to go to the Top of Innsbruck and Swarovski museum near Innsbruck, you’ll save a lot of money
  • Opening Hours: The Hofkirche is open daily. On Sundays and some public holidays, it only opens from midday. Check opening times here.
  • Wait for the audio to finish in the Maximilian Rooms, the door to the next room opens automatically and many people walk away too early.
  • Visit the inner courtyard, even if just for a break. The chessboard, cloister, and lounge chairs make it a lovely spot to slow down.
  • Photography is allowed in most areas, but be respectful in the church space.

Bonus tip: Combine your visit with the Hofburg in Innsbruck, it’s located right next to it and it’s also included in the Innsbruck Card.

🎟️ Get the Innsbruck Card and save money when visiting more attractions

Final Thoughts: Top Attractions in Innsbruck

The Hofkirche is one of the city’s most impressive historic sites, and worth seeing even if you’re not usually into churches. The statues are impressive and the multimedia exhibit about Maximilian adds a whole other layer to the experience.

Looking for more amazing sights nearby? Check out my full guide to the best things to do in Innsbruck for more tips, hidden gems, and personal favourites.

Read more:

Pin it for later:
A travel blog collage featuring the ornate interior of the Hofkirche Innsbruck, including Emperor Maximilian I’s cenotaph surrounded by bronze statues, a red vaulted staircase, a row of wrapped candle figures, and ironwork with historic armor. The center text reads “Hofkirche Innsbruck – How to Visit & What to Expect.”
Why You Shouldn’t Skip the Court Church in Innsbruck

Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Austrian Veganderlust. After travelling the world and documenting her adventures on Veganderlust, she created this blog to share the beauty of her home country, Austria. Tina now focuses on helping travellers discover the best spots in Austria, including where to find the most delicious vegan food.