Ambras Castle

A gift

Ferdinand II turned a medieval fortress into a castle for his wife

Archduke Ferdinand II ordered two Italian architects to turn the medieval fortress into a Renaissance castle for his wife Philippine Welser, whom he had married in secret. The castle served as his family's residence from 1567 to 1595.

Philippine

Philippine Welser was addressed as Merciful Miss in petitions

Philippine became a popular and beloved figure through her charity and willingness to help others, particularly the common people of Tyrol. Even the nobility brought their petitions to the former commoner. People addressed written petitions to Merciful Miss.

Spanish Hall

The Spanish Hall has 27 portraits of the rulers of Tyrol

The Spanish Hall, built between 1569 and 1572, is one of the most important freestanding halls of the Renaissance. The hall is 43 metres long and is dominated by 27 full-length portraits of the princely rulers of the Tyrol.

27full-length portraits of the rulers of Tyrol

Wonders

The Chamber of Art and Wonders is still where it was meant to be seen

It is the only Renaissance Kunstkammer that can still be seen in its original place. Others were plundered, like those in Munich, Prague or Stuttgart, or changed, like those in Dresden or Kassel. Inside are corals in cabinet-boxes, glass figures, goblets of rhinoceros horn, automats and clocks.

Armoury

The Heroes' Armoury was the first systematic museum display

In 1589 Ferdinand II added the Heldenrüstkammer to house his collection of Heroes, described as the very first systematic presentation of objects in the history of museums. He presented the armour of famous people, mostly military commanders, to their eternal memory.