The main door hints at what to expect in the Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury): it looks suited to a bank vault. Behind it, crown jewels and relics from centuries of Habsburg rule.
- Highlights include:
- Crown of the Holy Roman Emperor
- Crown of the Austrian Emperor
- …and so much more
- Very central location so easy to visit
- Book Imperial Treasury tickets*
- See also:
- The wider Hofburg Palace complex
- My Schatzkammer highlights
Treasures & relics
(The innocent-looking entrance in the Schweizerhof courtyard of the Hofburg)
The Schatzkammer houses a number of items for which the word “priceless” really does apply. Most stem from the time of the Habsburgs (particularly the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Empire).
The displays divide into secular and ecclesiastical sections, though everything is part of one complex.
What you get is a trip through over 1000 years of history in the form of Imperial status symbols.
Expect crowns and ceremonial robes, swords and scepters, gems and jewelry, relics and rich altar tapestries.
The collection represents a literal treasure trove for history aficionados, since the exhibits put you in touch with momentous events of the past.
For example, picture the coronation of a Holy Roman Emperor hundreds of years ago…
The ceremonial robes are inside the Schatzkammer.
And the crown, too.
Imagine the great Emperor Charlemagne seeking inspiration in the pages of his bible in the early 9th century.
The bible’s here.
Or think of Marie Louise, wife of Napoleon, leaning over her son’s throne-like cot on a cold evening, singing lullabies in accented French.
The cot’s here.
(Inside the Schatzkammer; press photo ©KHM-Museumsverband)
For those of a Christian leaning, some of the relics will inspire awe.
Since no records go back far enough, we have no proof of authenticity, of course, but the relics’ stories, acquisition history (dating back as far as the 12th century and beyond) and presentation (in displays of exquisite workmanship) have value in their own right.
In fact, the Schatzkammer has so many highlights, I’ve given them their own article.
Tickets & visitor tips
Tickets are available from the venue or online sources.
(Booking service provided by Tiqets.com*, who I am an affiliate of)
When booking, consider a combination ticket* with the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Many items in that museum’s Kunstkammer chamber of wonders would not look out of place among the crown jewels.
A few other tips:
- A Vienna Pass (see my review) gives you one-time free entry
- An audio guide offers good value, with extensive background information on many of the items on display
- Benches dot the secular section, offering a place to sit and take it all in (or listen to your audio guide)
- On my last visit, each room in the secular Imperial treasures part had one or more useful summaries in English that explained the gallery’s theme and context, but also added specifics about some of the main items within. Display labels were also bilingual
- The ecclesiastical Imperial treasures were, however, more or less German-only: an audio guide or guide book perhaps makes sense here. You might want either, anyway, to give more historical context to what you’re seeing
- Don’t always expect the best pieces to get the most prominent positions. That small unobtrusive item or display might be something quite spectacular
- The shop inside the Schatzkammer entrance hall has the usual souvenirs, but also a collection of jewellery priced a little lower than the items in the rooms beyond
Along with the Kunstkammer mentioned earlier, two further locations mirror the Schatzkammer in content (albeit not quite at the same level):
- The Dom Museum (just outside the main cathedral). Both the Kunsthistorisches Museum mentioned above and the Dom Museum are a relatively easy walk from the Schatzkammer
- Klosterneuburg abbey (at the edge of Vienna). A basic entry ticket includes the 3-room Schatzkammer with such delights as the Archducal Coronet from the early 17th century and rare artefacts from over a 1000 years ago
(Klosterneuburg abbey on Vienna’s outskirts has its own Schatzkammer)
The Imperial Treasury actually sits in the middle of the Habsburg’s Hofburg complex and shares a courtyard with the Hofburgkapelle (Imperial Court Chapel) and Schweizertor (Renaissance gateway). Other nearby sights include, for example:
- The National Library’s State Hall (gorgeous Baroque library)
- The Sisi Museum (explore the life of Empress Elisabeth)
- The Spanish Riding School (with public trainings and stable tours)
- The Franz II/I statue (whose crown you see inside the treasury)
- The Neue Burg (full of museums and historical collections)
Schatzkammer travel tips
You pretty much pass the Imperial Treasury as you walk through this central complex.
The surrounding area is largely pedestrianised, but not far from many central stations and stops. For example:
Subway: A short walk from either Stephansplatz (U1 and U3 lines) or Herrengasse (U3 line) stations
Tram/bus: Take the D, 1, 2 or 71 tram to the Burgring stop. Or bus lines 1A or 2A to Michaelerplatz or Habsburgergasse
Address: Schweizerhof, Hofburg, 1010 Vienna | Website