An emperor spent decades planning his own tomb, commissioned 28 giant bronze guards for it, and then got buried somewhere else entirely.
About Hofkirche
Maximilian I began planning his tomb around 1502 and commissioned leading artists including Albrecht Durer to design the bronze statues. The church was built by Ferdinand I in the 1550s to house the cenotaph after Maximilian's death in 1519. The 28 bronze statues were cast over several decades in workshops across the empire. Despite the monumental effort, Maximilian was buried in Wiener Neustadt, not Innsbruck.
Hofkirche (Innsbruck)
The Hofkirche in Innsbruck is a Gothic court church built in the 1550s to house the cenotaph of Emperor Maximilian I, guarded by 28 larger-than-life bronze statues known as the Schwarze Mander, the Black Men. The statues represent ancestors, allies and heroes of the Habsburg dynasty, and their presence transforms the nave into something closer to a gallery of Renaissance sculpture than a typical church interior.
28 Bronze Giants Guarding an Empty Tomb
Emperor Maximilian I planned his own monumental tomb during his lifetime, commissioning the finest sculptors and bronze casters of the early 16th century. The irony is that he is not actually buried here; his body rests in Wiener Neustadt. The cenotaph itself is an elaborate marble sarcophagus decorated with 24 relief panels depicting key events of Maximilian's life. But the real impact comes from the 28 bronze figures, each roughly two metres tall, lining the nave on both sides. They include historical figures like King Arthur and Theodoric the Great alongside Habsburg ancestors and family members. The bronze casting is superb, each face distinct, each suit of armour individually detailed. The church also contains a small silver chapel and the tomb of Tyrolean hero Andreas Hofer.
The Experience
Entering the nave and immediately confront the bronze figures lining both sides, each nearly two metres tall, in full armour or royal dress. They are not anonymous guards; each represents a specific historical or legendary figure, and the quality of the casting rewards close examination. The marble cenotaph in the centre is covered in carved relief scenes. The overall effect is more grand sculpture gallery than church. The silver chapel and Hofer's tomb are in the side aisles.
Why It Matters
The Hofkirche contains one of the most ambitious Renaissance sculptural ensembles in Europe. The 28 bronze statues represent a century of the finest Habsburg bronze casting and are considered masterworks of the medium.
Why Visit
28 giant Renaissance bronze statues guarding an empty imperial tomb in Innsbruck, one of the most unusual church interiors in Europe.
✦ Photo Gallery
Best Season
🌤 Year-round. The church is indoors. Summer means more tourists but longer opening hours. Winter offers quieter visits and complements Innsbruck's Alpine atmosphere.
Quick Facts
Best time to visit
Year-round. The church is indoors. Summer means more tourists but longer opening hours. Winter offers quieter visits and complements Innsbruck's Alpine atmosphere.
Getting there
In Innsbruck, Austria; reach Innsbruck first, then continue to the site.
Location
Innsbruck, Austria
Type
attraction
Insider Tips
- 1
Look at the individual faces and armour details on the bronze statues.
- 2
The emperor is not actually buried here, only the cenotaph is.
- 3
The silver chapel and Andreas Hofer's tomb are worth finding.
- 4
Combine with the Imperial Palace next door.
