Kaiserliche Schatzkammer

The Imperial Treasury in the Swiss Wing of Vienna's Hofburg houses the most valuable objects from the former Habsburg collections, selected for their great dynastic or religious significance. A department of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the exhibition is divided into 23 rooms, split between a secular and a sacred section. The Swiss Wing itself is the oldest part of the Hofburg, and the historic wrought-iron entrance door bearing the monogram of Emperor Charles VI still survives, even though it is no longer in active use. The collection dates back to the 16th century, when the art expert Jacopo Strada was appointed court antiquarian under Ferdinand I. Originally, the holdings were a motley mix kept in the Augustinian monastery. The crown treasure was first systematically separated from the rest of the Kunstkammer under Maria Theresa, who moved the objects to the Hofburg. The Imperial Regalia of the Holy Roman Empire were added later; they were brought to Vienna for safekeeping in 1800 and have remained there ever since.

The secular treasury presents a fascinating mix of regalia, orders, and family possessions. You can admire the insignia of the Archduchy of Austria, the imperial vestments, and the Burgundian inheritance, which passed to the Habsburgs through the marriage of Maximilian I to Mary of Burgundy. Particularly noteworthy is the treasure of the Order of the Golden Fleece, which includes fine embroidery in gold, silk, and pearls that is regarded as masterwork of its era. Relics that belonged to Napoleon and his family are also on display here. The sacred treasury, by contrast, focuses on devotional images and altars, most of them dating from the Baroque period. The collection has had an eventful history, including the temporary relocation of the Imperial Regalia to Nuremberg during the Nazi era, before they returned to Vienna after World War II. Today the Imperial Treasury is a key place to experience the cultural and historical wealth of the Habsburg Monarchy.