Ambras Castle

Ambras Castle is a renowned Renaissance palace situated on the hills overlooking Innsbruck. Located southeast of the city center, it stands at an elevation of 632 meters above sea level and is known for its well-preserved architecture, extensive art collections, and the serene beauty of its surrounding gardens. The castle is celebrated for its historical significance and houses one of the world's oldest museums displaying extensive art and armor collections Archduke Ferdinand II from the 16th century.

Originally a 10th-century fortress, Ambras Castle was transformed in the 16th century by Archduke Ferdinand II into a magnificent Renaissance residence for his wife, Philippine Welser. The castle complex is divided into the Lower and Upper Castles. The Lower Castle contains the Chamber of Art and Wonders (Kunst- und Wunderkammer), showcasing a diverse collection of artifacts, while the Upper Castle houses the Habsburg Portrait Gallery, featuring over 200 portraits of notable figures, including works by artists such as Lukas Cranach, Anton Mor, Titian, Van Dyck, and Diego Velázquez. A notable feature is the Spanish Hall (Spanischer Saal), renowned for its intricate wood-inlay ceiling and walls adorned with 27 full-length portraits of Tyrolean rulers, exemplifying German Renaissance architecture.