Emperor Maximilian I died in 1519, but his cenotaph was not completed until 1584, over 60 years after his death.
The 28 bronze statues include representations of King Arthur and Godfrey of Bouillon.
The silver chapel contains an altar with a notable ivory relief by the artist Weiler.
Philippine Welser, the wife of Archduke Ferdinand II, is also interred within the church's silver chapel.
The bronze figures vary in height, with several reaching nearly 2.5 meters tall.
The church was originally built to serve as a memorial chapel for the Habsburg dynasty.
The organ, built by Jörg Ebert in 1558, is one of the oldest and most important Renaissance organs in Austria.
The Court Church (Hofkirche) in Innsbruck is a 16th-century Gothic church renowned for the cenotaph of Emperor Maximilian I. The interior houses 28 over-life-sized bronze statues of ancestors and legendary figures, known as the 'Black Men' (Schwarze Mander). These figures surround the Emperor's empty black marble sarcophagus, which was designed as a funerary monument despite the monarch being buried elsewhere. The church also contains the silver chapel, added in 1578, which houses the tomb of Archduke Ferdinand II. The architecture reflects a transition between late Gothic and Renaissance styles. It was commissioned by Emperor Ferdinand I between 1553 and 1563. The site serves as a museum dedicated to Tyrolean history and imperial funerary art. The church is integrated into the complex of the Tiroler Landesmuseum.
From the center of the nave looking toward the cenotaph to capture the symmetry of the bronze figures.
Visit the adjacent Ferdinandeum or Folk Art Museum, as many tickets provide access to both locations.
Take time to examine the intricate carvings on the bronze statues, which reflect the fashion and weaponry of the 16th century.
Check if the organ is being played during your visit, as the acoustics of the vaulted ceiling are world-class.
Do not treat the statues as touchable exhibits; the metal is sensitive to skin oils.
Closed on Mondays during the winter season.
Maintain a quiet volume; refrain from using flash photography near the sarcophagi; remove hats upon entering.
