Cultural Partners / Kaiserliche Schatzkammer Wien
Imperial Treasury Vienna: Crowns and Jewels of the Habsburgs
The Imperial Treasury Vienna in Hofburg are unique treasures of the Habsburgs. These include the Austrian imperial crown, once the crown of Emperor Rudolf II. It also preserves the crown treasure of the Holy Roman Empire, including the imperial crown and the Holy Lance.
Other highlights include the treasure of the Order of the Golden Fleece and objects from the magnificently rich collection amassed by the Duke of Burgundy in the 15th century.
Photo: ©KHM-Museumsverband
The Secular Treasury
The Treasury of the World offers a unique panorama of more than a thousand years of European history. Here lies the most important crown treasure from the Middle Ages. The most valuable jewels also bear witness to the former power of the Habsburgs.
The Imperial Treasury Vienna also displays original jewelry of Empress Elisabeth. Additionally, you can discover legendary treasures here. These include the agate bowl, known as the »Holy Grail«, and the largest cut emerald in the world. The horn of the legendary »unicorn« is also included.
Two of these objects were once considered so unique that they were declared „indispensable heirlooms of the House of Austria“. These include the late antique agate bowl and a giant narwhal tooth. At the time, it was thought to be the horn of a unicorn.
The Imperial Treasury in Vienna counts the Imperial Crown as one of its greatest treasures. It consists of gold, enamel, pearls, and precious stones. For centuries it served as the coronation insignia of the kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Today, a large research project is examining its materiality, technology, and state of preservation.
Photo: ©KHM-Museumsverband
The Ecclesiastical Treasury
The Spiritual Treasury offers a fascinating tour through the history of art, piety, and religion.
The objects tell of the medieval cult of relics and of the Habsburg Catholicism during the Counter-Reformation. In addition, they also tell of the feudal religious devotion of the neighboring rulers and of the Austrian folk beliefs.
Further information can be found directly on the Website of the Imperial Treasury.