The Imperial Treasury Vienna (Kaiserliche Schatzkammer) is located inside the historic Swiss Courtyard (Schweizerhof) of the grand Hofburg Palace complex in the heart of Vienna’s Old Town (1st District). Stepping into this museum reveals a treasure trove in the truest sense of the word – one of the most dazzling and historically significant collections of royal regalia, sparkling gemstones, and sacred relics anywhere in the world.
Accumulated over more than a millennium of Habsburg imperial rule spanning vast swaths of the European continent, the treasury stands alongside London’s Tower and the Kremlin Armoury as a pinnacle of royal heritage. The Imperial Treasury is administratively part of the renowned Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts). It is located just across the Ringstraße on Maria-Theresien-Platz.
What to See in the Imperial Treasury Vienna
The museum spans 21 historic chambers and is divided into two distinct sections. The Secular Treasury (Weltliche Schatzkammer) and the Ecclesiastical Treasury (Geistliche Schatzkammer).
- Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire: Dating back to the late 10th century (likely crafted for Emperor Otto I), this iconic octagonal crown adorned with precious stones and biblical enamel plates is one of the most revered symbols of medieval European monarchy.
- Austrian Imperial Crown & Sceptre: Commissioned in 1602 by Emperor Rudolf II, this Renaissance goldsmith masterpiece became the official Crown of the Austrian Empire in 1804. Decorated with pearls, rubies, and a mammoth sapphire, it symbolizes supreme sovereign authority.
- Colossal Emerald & Royal Jewels: Behold one of the largest cut emeralds in existence – a jaw-dropping Colombian emerald vessel weighing an astonishing 2,860 carats, carved in 1641, alongside opulent diamond parures and personal Habsburg heirlooms.
- The “Unicorn Horn” & Holy Grail Legend: Exotic curiosities once considered proof of mythical wonders: a 2.4-meter narwhal tusk revered for centuries as a magical unicorn horn (Ainkhürn), and the Late Antique Agate Bowl long thought by medieval monarchs to be the Holy Grail.
- The Ecclesiastical Treasury showcases sacred relics of the Christian faith, including intricately embroidered liturgical vestments, gold chalices, monstrances, and reliquaries associated with imperial ceremonies and private court worship.
This is What a Tour of the Hofburg Imperial Treasury Looks Like
Additional Essential Information for Your Visit
Opening Hours:
- Daily from 9AM to 5:30 PM
- Closed on Tuesdays
- Last admission at 5PM
Prices:
- Adult: €18
- Student: €14
- Children & Youth under 19: Free
- Audio Guide: €5
How to Get to the Imperial Treasury
The Imperial Treasury is located inside the Schweizerhof (Swiss Courtyard) within the Hofburg Palace. You can reach the entrance by walking through the historic red-and-black Renaissance Swiss Gate (Schweizertor), or by crossing Heldenplatz from the Ringstraße.
Public Transportation Options:
- U-Bahn (Subway): Take line U3 (Orange) and get off at Herrengasse station (approx. 5-minute walk).
- Tram: Lines 1, 2, D, 71 to Burgring station.
- City Bus: Lines 1A or 2A directly to the Hofburg stop.
Official Website
Address: Hofburg, Schweizerhof, 1010 Vienna
Map:
Explore More of the Hofburg Complex
The Imperial Treasury is just one of many extraordinary attractions within Austria’s imperial seat of power. Discover the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments, theSpanish Riding School, and the Austrian National Library in our comprehensive guide to the Hofburg Palace Complex in Vienna.
