Michaelerplatz: A Historic Gateway to the Hofburg and Vienna’s Imperial Core
Michaelerplatz is one of the oldest and most historically significant squares in Vienna, closely linked to the development of the Hofburg Palace and the city’s evolving urban structure. Its roots stretch back to Roman times, when this area lay just outside the military camp of Vindobona, in the civilian settlement that supported the Roman garrison. Archaeological excavations in the center of the square have uncovered the remains of Roman houses and parts of the ancient road network, providing direct evidence of Vienna’s early history.
During the Middle Ages, Michaelerplatz began to take on greater importance. It formed part of the Witmarkt, or wood market, situated just outside the city walls near a main gate. St. Michael’s Church, which stands on the north side of the square, dates to the early 13th century and ranks among the oldest churches in Vienna. Over time, it became closely associated with the Habsburg court and served as the imperial parish church, with several members of the nobility interred in its crypt. By the 18th and 19th centuries, especially after the construction of the Michaelertrakt, Michaelerplatz emerged as a ceremonial approach to the Hofburg, the seat of Habsburg power.
Dominating the square today is the Michaelertrakt (St. Michael’s Wing) of the Hofburg Palace. Although early design proposals for the Michaelertrakt were developed in the 18th century by Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach , building work stalled for over a century and a half. The structure was finally completed between 1889 and 1893 during the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Architect Ferdinand Kirschner executed the completion, largely adhering to Fischer von Erlach’s original Baroque concepts , as part of the broader transformation of the Hofburg. Its monumental dome and symmetrical façade were intended to create a suitably grand entrance to the imperial palace.
Facing the Michaelertrakt is the striking Looshaus, completed in 1911 by architect Adolf Loos. At the time, its radical lack of ornamentation provoked outrage in a city steeped in Baroque and historicist styles. Today, however, it is celebrated as a pioneering example of modern architecture, marking a turning point in early 20th-century design in Vienna.
Michaelerplatz has long served both ceremonial and practical functions in Vienna’s cityscape. It has been a market square, a key route for imperial processions, and a symbolic gateway to power. Even today, it acts as a central access point for visitors entering the Hofburg and exploring the first district. The square’s architectural layers tell a story that spans from ancient Roman times to imperial grandeur and early modernism – making it one of Vienna’s most compelling historic spaces.
