Hofkirche, Innsbruck: Practical guide with hours, prices & visitor tips

What is the Hofkirche in Innsbruck?

The Hofkirche (Court Church) is a Gothic church built between 1553 and 1563 by Emperor Ferdinand I as a memorial to his grandfather, Emperor Maximilian I. Also called the Schwarzmander-Kirche (Church of the Black Men), it houses one of Europe’s finest examples of German Renaissance sculpture.

Here’s the thing: Maximilian never actually got buried here. His simple tomb remained in Wiener Neustadt, so the elaborate monument in the Hofkirche serves as a cenotaph — an empty tomb. Still, it’s one of the most impressive empty tombs you’ll ever see.

What to see at the Hofkirche

The Hofkirche cenotaph and ‘Black Men’

The ornate black marble cenotaph occupies the centre of the nave, surrounded by 28 larger-than-life bronze statues (200 to 250cm tall) known as the “Schwarze Mander” (Black Men) due to their oxidised appearance. Eight are actually women, including Maximilian’s two wives — but “Black Men” sounds catchier, apparently.

Created between 1502 and 1555 by renowned artists including designs by Albrecht Dürer, the statues depict ancestors, relatives, and legendary heroes like King Arthur (reportedly Maximilian’s biggest idol). The craftsmanship is extraordinary — look closely at the details in the armour, robes, and facial expressions. You’ll notice some parts of the bronze are polished where visitors have touched them over the centuries, including Kaiser Rudolf’s codpiece. Yes, really.

The tomb itself features 24 marble reliefs depicting Maximilian’s accomplishments and is enclosed by an ornate wrought iron grille. The gallery above contains 23 small statues of Habsburg patron saints, called the “Sankti.”

The Silver Chapel at Hofkirche

Built between 1577 and 1596 by Archduke Ferdinand II as his burial chapel, the Silver Chapel (Silberne Kapelle) is upstairs opposite the entrance. It’s named for its magnificent silver altar incorporating three elephant tusks and 300 kilos of ebony, with silver reliefs representing the Laurentanian Litany.

The chapel contains white marble tombs of Ferdinand II and his first wife Philippine Welser — the merchant’s daughter he married for love despite Habsburg disapproval. Philippine was something of a local celebrity in her time: herbal expert, author of the oldest known German-language cookbook by a woman, and (according to malicious tongues) suspected witch. The marriage was only accepted by Emperor Ferdinand I in 1559 under strict secrecy conditions, and their children were excluded from succession.

Interestingly, Ferdinand chose to be buried here with Philippine rather than with his second wife, Anna Caterina Gonzaga — a 16-year-old princess of Mantua whom he married at age 53. That says something about which marriage mattered more to him.

The ceiling features cherubim, each with different facial expressions, painted by Giovanni Battista Fontana around 1580. The hexagonal tempera paintings show scenes from Mary and Jesus’s lives. There’s also a rare Italian organ from around 1580 with pipes made almost exclusively of wood.

The Ebert organ at Hofkirche

Called the “swallow’s nest organ” for its position hanging above the western sacristy door, the Ebert Organ was built between 1555 and 1561 by Jörg Ebert from Ravensburg. It’s the largest nearly intact Renaissance organ in Austria and locally described as one of the five most famous organs in the world.

The organ has 15 registers on two manuals and pedal. The painted wing doors open during concerts, revealing iconography about exemplary kingship. It hosts participants in the Paul Hofhaimer Prize competition every three years — if you’re visiting during competition time, try to catch a performance.

Andreas Hofer’s tomb at Hofkirche

Andreas Hofer, Tyrol’s national hero, has been buried in the Hofkirche since 1823. His tomb is in the left aisle. In 1809, Hofer led thousands of Tyroleans at Bergisel against Napoleonic troops. He was subsequently executed in Mantua but remains a revered figure in Innsbruck. His comrades-in-arms and grandson are also interred in the church.

Visiting the Hofkirche: practical information

Hofkirche opening hours and admission

Opening hours:

• Monday to Saturday: 9.00am to 5.00pm.
• Sunday and holidays: 12.30pm to 5.00pm.

Important: Entry is not allowed during services. Appropriate clothing is required (shoulders and knees covered).

Tickets: Admission tickets for the Hofkirche cost €9, although there are €12 combination tickets available that allow entry to the Tyrolean State Museum Ferdinandeum, Museum of Tyrolean Regional Heritage, Court Church, Armoury (Zeughaus) and Tirol Panorama with the Museum of the Imperial Infantry. There’s also a separate €15 combo ticket that includes entrance to the Bergisel ski jump.

Free admission:

• Under 19 years.
• ICOM members.
• Disability pass holders (plus one companion).
• Innsbruck Card holders.

Audio guides: Free in English, German, Italian, French, and Spanish.

Getting to the Hofkirche

Address: Universitätsstraße 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria (adjacent to Hofburg in the Old Town)

Important note: The main entrance is on Universitätsstraße, not by the main church door. This catches out quite a few visitors.

Hofkirche accessibility

The church is wheelchair-accessible via the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum. Access is via a flat ramp, and inside, the church and monastery garden are steplessly accessible. It’s best to arrange access in advance with Folk Art Museum ticket office staff.

Facilities:

• Barrier-free toilet in Folk Art Museum entrance area.
• Disabled parking at Hofburg (Rennweg/Herrengasse corner) and Congress Innsbruck.
• Assistance dogs permitted.
• Wheelchairs available on request.

How long to spend at the Hofkirche

Church only: 30 to 45 minutes. With Folk Art Museum: 1.5 to 2 hours.

Don’t rush through — the “Black Men” statues deserve proper examination from all angles, and each Silver Chapel detail rewards close attention.

Photography at the Hofkirche

Generally permitted without flash. Be respectful of other visitors and any ongoing services.

Nearby attractions

• Hofburg (Imperial Palace): Directly adjacent — former Habsburg palace rebuilt by Maria Theresa in Rococo style.
• Tyrolean Folk Art Museum: Connected via the same entrance — traditional Tyrolean culture and folk art.
• Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl): 5-minute walk — Innsbruck’s most famous landmark with its 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles.
• City Tower (Stadtturm): 5-minute walk — climb 133 steps for 360-degree views over the Old Town.
• Maria-Theresien-Straße: Close by — main baroque shopping street with cafés and views of the Nordkette.
• Dom zu St. Jakob (St. James’ Cathedral): Short walk — baroque cathedral with Cranach’s Maria Hilf painting and Asam brothers’ frescoes.

Tips for visiting the Hofkirche

• Buy combined Hofkirche and Hofburg tickets for better value.
• The Innsbruck Card offers significant savings if visiting multiple sites.
• Visit mornings to avoid crowds (especially summer and Christmas periods).
• Don’t miss the free multimedia show near the entrance about Maximilian’s life.
• Examine the “Black Men” from all angles — the details in robes, armour, and hairstyles are impressive from every side.
• Visit the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum first for historical context.
• Look for the polished bronze spots where visitors have touched the statues over centuries.
• Check for organ concerts during your visit — hearing Renaissance music on a Renaissance organ is special.

Why visit the Hofkirche?

The Hofkirche is Innsbruck’s most important art monument and one of Europe’s finest royal court churches. It showcases 28 magnificent bronze statues created by master Renaissance artists over 80 years, Austria’s oldest playable Renaissance organ, and the unique Silver Chapel with its elaborate silver altar.

But beyond the artistic achievements, it tells human stories: Emperor Maximilian I’s imperial ambitions and his elaborate (if ultimately empty) tomb; Archduke Ferdinand II’s defiant love for Philippine Welser; Tyrolean hero Andreas Hofer’s tragic end. These aren’t just historical footnotes — they’re genuine dramas played out across centuries.

The collaboration of the age’s top artistic talents — including Albrecht Dürer — makes this genuinely exceptional. Where else can you see so many masterworks of German Renaissance sculpture in one place, still arranged roughly as intended over 400 years ago?

More Innsbruck travel

Other Innsbruck travel articles include:

• Is the Bergisel ski jump in Innsbruck worth the entry fee?
• The incredible range of strudels at Innsbruck’s Kroll café.
• A practical guide to the Innsbruck Alpine Zoo.
• Visiting the world’s oldest existing museum at Schloss Ambras.
• What to expect at Swarovski Crystal Worlds.