Ambras Castle in the south-eastern outskirts of Innsbruck was once the symbol of Tyrol's glory and power. In the XII century there lived counts Andechs. The modern building was built in 1563-1595 years by order of Archduke Ferdinand II. Archduke secretly married to the beautiful Philippines Welser and was going to have a family life in the castle.

The castle consists of a lower castle with entrance gate and spacious courtyard, and the top of the palace, which was built on the site of an older building. Both parts are connected by the Spanish hall of the castle, built by Giovanni Lucheze in 1571, with the original coffered ceiling and wall murals depicting the Tyrolean princes in full growth and mosaic doors.

Archduke Ferdinand II at Ambras founded his own museum exhibits but soon went to Vienna museums. Preserved armory, curiosities and a gallery of portraits of members of the House of Habsburg hands of famous artists, including Lucas Cranach, Peter Paul Rubens and Diego Velazquez.