Inaugurated in 1888, the Court Theatre replaced the former Hofburgtheater on Michaelerplatz, which had been founded in 1741 under the reign of Maria Theresa. The Court is no more, but the Burgtheater has remained one of the great German-language cultural institutions. The Renaissance-style façade was designed by Gottfried Semper, while Carl Hasenauer decorated the interior in a grandiose neo-Baroque style. Gustav Klimt painted some of the frescoes on the staircase ceilings.