Schloss Ambras

About the museum

Ambras, on the southeastern edge of Innsbruck, has been documented as a noble seat since the High Middle Ages. From 1564 the Tyrolean sovereign Archduke Ferdinand II had the medieval castle remodeled into a Renaissance palace for himself, his wife Philippine Welser and their sons. Below the Hochschloss (upper castle), the lavish Spanish Hall and extensive gardens were built, and from the 1570s the Unterschloss (lower castle) as a separate building for Ferdinand's collections.

In the Unterschloss the archduke displayed armor and weapons, a Kunst- und Wunderkammer with works of art, natural specimens, instruments and curiosities, and a library, arranged according to a carefully devised exhibition concept. Because this collection building has survived to this day in its original location, Schloss Ambras regards itself as the world's first museum.

After Ferdinand's death in 1595, the palace and collections passed to Emperor Rudolf II; during the Napoleonic Wars the holdings were taken to Vienna. From 1855 Archduke Karl Ludwig had the palace converted into a Neo-Gothic summer residence; some of these additions were later removed. From 1880 Ambras was again opened to visitors as a museum.

Since 1919 the palace has belonged to the Republic of Austria; since 1950 the Kunsthistorisches Museum has looked after the collections, which today are part of the KHM-Museumsverband (KHM Museum Association). In 1976 the Habsburg Portrait Gallery in the Hochschloss was added, and in 2021 the Ambras Foyer, a multimedia introduction to the history of the palace and its collections.

Highlights

• Kunst- und Wunderkammer of Archduke Ferdinand II in its original location
• Armories with tournament and hero armor
• Renaissance Spanish Hall
• Habsburg Portrait Gallery in the Hochschloss (April to October)
• Bath of Philippine Welser
• Extensive palace park with the Bacchus Grotto

Permanent exhibitions

• Rüstkammern – In the Unterschloss, the Heldenrüstkammer (Hero Armory), the Leibrüst- und Türkenkammer (Personal Armory and Turkish Chamber) and the Barocke Rüstkammer (Baroque Armory) display armor, weapons and tournament equipment from the collection of Ferdinand II.
• Kunst- und Wunderkammer – The encyclopedic universal collection of the Renaissance brings together artworks, natural specimens, scientific instruments and curiosities in its original building.
• Habsburger Porträtgalerie – The gallery set up in 1976 in the Hochschloss shows portraits from the circle of the House of Habsburg; open from April to October.

Operated by

KHM-Museumsverband

Director

Thomas Kuster (interimistisch)

Admission & discounts

Prices online; tickets on site cost €18 (reduced €14). Free admission with the Kulturpass and ICOM card. Public guided tour €6 per person plus admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Not everywhere accessible because of heritage protection. The armories and the Kunst- und Wunderkammer can be reached by elevator, the Spanish Hall and Ambras Foyer by stair lift; in the Hochschloss, the bath of Philippine Welser, the portrait gallery, the St. Nikolaus chapel, the Strasser glass collection and the café are accessible. Not accessible: the collection of Gothic sculptures and the Paradise and Medicinal Herb Garden. EuroKey toilet in the Unterschloss, accessible toilets in the Hochschloss, and a limited number of loaner wheelchairs and folding chairs, if possible with registration at guestservice@schlossambras-innsbruck.at. Accessible parking space on Schlossstraße near the entrance portal.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's tours every Saturday at 14:30 (except in November); bookable children's tours and workshops from age 5 on knights, armor and the Wunderkammer, where for some topics pieces of armor may be tried on. Children's birthday parties for up to 10 children: 1.5 hours for €120. Family audio guide for 2 adults and 3 children.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Café & Bistro FERDINAND in the Hochschloss (daily 10:00–17:00, closed in November); independent restaurant Kornschütt in the Unterschloss. Free cloakroom and free Wi-Fi in large parts of the palace.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit