Imperial Treasury Vienna — Attraction in Vienna

The Imperial Treasury (German: Kaiserliche Schatzkammer) at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria contains a valuable collection of secular and ecclesiastical treasures covering over a thousand years of European history. The entrance to the treasury is at the Schweizerhof (Swiss Courtyard), the oldest part of the palace, which was rebuilt in the sixteenth century in the Renaissance style under Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I. The Imperial Treasury is affiliated with the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and houses in 21 rooms a collection of rare treasures that were compiled by the Imperial House of Habsburg over the course of centuries, including the Imperial Crown, Orb, and Sceptre of Austria, and the Imperial Regalia of the Emperors and Kings of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire.

The Imperial Treasury is divided into two collections: the secular collection and the ecclesiastical collection. The secular collection contains numerous imperial artifacts from the House of Habsburg, including jewels and precious stones that due to their unique size could not be fitted into the imperial crowns. Like all secular treasuries, it was designed to attest to the political power and geographical reach of their owners. The ecclesiastical collection contains numerous religious treasures, including relics and objects ascribed to the private ownership of saints.

The Treasury is divided into two sections - secular and ecclesiastical. The secular museum contains a collection of royal objects:

The Imperial Regalia (Reichskleinodien): insignia and jewels of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Imperial Crown, the Holy Lance and the Imperial Sword; The Austrian Crown Jewels, comprising the personal crown of Emperor Rudolf II, which with the proclamation of the Austrian Empire in 1804 became the Imperial Crown of Austria, with sceptre and globus cruciger, the regalia worn by Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria on the occasion of his coronation as King of Lombardy–Venetia in 1835, as well as the vestments and other precious items of the Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary and the Military Order of Maria Theresa;

The regalia of the Archduchy of Austria with the cord casing of the archducal hat made for the coronation of King Joseph II in 1764; The Burgundian Treasury, part of the dowry of Mary the Rich at her wedding with Archduke Maximilian I in 1477.

The original insignia of the Kingdom of Bohemia, the scepter and the orb. The treasury of the Order of the Golden Fleece from the heritage of Mary's father Duke Charles the Bold.

On display are various valuable gems, including one of the world's largest emeralds. Part of the treasury are also the crown of the Transylvanian prince Stephen Bocskay and the two “inalienable heirlooms of the House of Austria”: a giant narwhal tooth which was thought to be the horn of a unicorn (Ainkhürn) and the Agate bowl from Late Antiquity which was thought to be the legendary Holy Grail; furthermore the Napoleonica artifacts of Napoleon II and his mother...

With over 1000 years worth of Royal treasury items, it is understandable why the Imperial Treasury (Schatzkammer) at the Hofburg Palace is regarded as one of the most important in the world. Housed in the Hofburg Palace which is more or less an essential tourist attraction to see in Vienna, the Imperial Treasury can be readily visited and something worth making the time for.

The Imperial Treasury is divided into two collections, housed in a 13th century room. These include the Secular collection, featuring centuries' worth of imperial artefacts of the Habsburg Royals and the Ecclesiastical Collection where you can see other precious devotional items, Baroque alter works and other items of intrigue; such as the tooth that is believed to have belonged to St. John the Baptist.

Of the two collections, it is the Secular Collection that is really quite inspiring. There are numerous Royal treasures that have the ability to make your jaw drop when seeing them for the first time. Items that we have very much enjoyed seeing include the Austrian Crown Jewels. These include the crown, sceptor and globus cruciger of Emperor Rudolf II (1552-1612). The Crown in particular is so very ornate and detailed in its design.

Another highly memorable item is the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire, with its oversized gemstones. This one is well worth spending a few minutes to inspect from all sides. The lighting is very good in this area as well so you can make some spectacular photos of the crown without use of professional equipment.

The Golden fleece necklace is also well worth finding as are the impressive robes, Imperial crosses, purses, brooches and other jewel and treasure items on display. The entire collection is laid out nicely and there is a suggested walking path, which assures that you are able to see all during your time in the Schatzkammer

Overall, we found the Imperial Treasury to be indeed an impressive collection and makes a worthwhile addition to a...

The Imperial Treasury at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria contains a valuable collection of secular and ecclesiastical treasures covering over a thousand years of European history.

The entrance to the treasury is at the Schweizerhof (Swiss Courtyard), the oldest part of the palace, which was rebuilt in the sixteenth century in the Renaissance style under Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I.

The Imperial Treasury is affiliated with the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and houses in 21 rooms a collection of rare treasures that were compiled by the Imperial House of Habsburg over the course of centuries, including the Imperial Crown, Orb, and Sceptre of Austria, and the Imperial Regalia of the Emperors and Kings of the Holy Roman Empire, including the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire.

The Imperial Treasury is divided into two collections: the secular collection and the ecclesiastical collection. The secular collection contains numerous imperial artifacts from the House of Habsburg, including jewels and precious stones that due to their unique size could not be fitted into the imperial crowns.

Like all secular treasuries, it was designed to attest to the political power and geographical reach of their owners. The ecclesiastical collection contains numerous religious treasures, including relics and objects ascribed to the private...