The Hapsburgs ruled for centuries, and you can still see their influence in today’s Vienna. From the palace-turned-art museum to the important churches where they married and were buried, Imperial Vienna is a must-see.
History
The Hapsburg monarchy began in the 13th century and grew to include Spain and the Holy Roman Empire but is best remembered for its power in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 18th century, Queen Maria Theresa and her husband consolidated power and used their children to enact alliances with countries throughout Europe via marriage. One of their children, Marie Antoinette, would be the unfortunate queen of France during the revolution.
The most famous Hapsburg ruler was Emperor Franz Joseph and his glamorous wife, Empress Elisabeth “Sisi.” He ruled over the Austro-Hungarian empire until his death during WWI in 1916. After the end of WWI, the monarchy collapsed, and for a time, the Hapsburg family was banned from entering Austria until 1989.
Visit
Imperial Vienna appears before your very eyes as you walk around the historic city center. Thankfully, the impressive marble palaces and churches important to the monarchy were not destroyed in WWII so we are able to visit them today.
Hofburg Palace Complex
The Hofburg Palace Complex is huge and can be confusing to navigate at times. With all of these sites within a 10 minute walk, it’s easy to see them all on the same day!
Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum
This is the most important imperial site to see in Vienna as this was the home to the Hapsburgs for centuries. Read my review here of its grand rooms and intimate artifacts from the tragic Sisi.
This museum in the same complex as the Imperial apartments is a treasure trove – literally! This is where you can see the crown jewels of Austria. Each one is more breathtaking than the last! You’ll see items ranging from a 17th century crown to the coronation vestments and regalia.
One of the most interesting pieces is the crib that was used by Napoleon’s son! His mother, Maria Louise, was Napoleon’s second wife and was the great-granddaughter of Maria Theresa.
Of course, I loved Sisi’s jewels!
Monty Python fans will be interested in these items associated with the Holy Grail.
There are rooms of religious artifacts.
The coronation mantle and crown of the Holy Roman Emperor were impressive!
I was fascinated by the Imperial cross which is said to contain pieces of the actual Cross!
This is said to be Charlemagne’s sword!
This museum also has one of the best gift shops. It’s where I got my necklace of one of Sisi’s stars!
Helpful hints:
- Cost: €16/adults; free/children
- Recommended: ages 10 and up
- Tour time: 30-45 minutes
- Gift shop located at entrance/exit
This church dating to the 13th century is the heart of the Hapsburg monarchy – literally! Its crypt contains the hearts of the Hapsburg rulers (it was closed when I was visiting). It’s also the church where the monarchs would marry. I can just see young Sisi walking down this imposing aisle to her Franz Joseph. The royal box is just to the right of the altar.
It also contains a memorial to Maria Theresa’s favorite daughter, Maria Christina, with its mournful procession in marble. She was the only daughter allowed to marry for love (you can learn more about her at the Albertina Museum listed below).
- Cost: free
- Recommended: ages 10 and up
- Tour time: 15 minutes
State Hall of the Austrian National Library
All book lovers should visit this library! It is like stepping into a dream world with bookshelves rising as high as the eye can see to house the over 200,000 books! This is the former imperial library with a statue of Charles VI in the middle. I really enjoyed the current exhibit on love throughout the centuries.
Helpful hints:
- Cost: €12/adults; free/children (must purchase online only, can purchase on phone as you arrive)
- Recommended: ages 10 and up
- Tour time: 30 minutes
Now housing an art museum, this building is part of the palace and was the home of Maria Christina and her beloved husband, Albert (see how they combined their names for the museum?). I visited to see the state rooms which are supposed to be spectacular but they were closed for a special event while I was there! It was still a beautiful place to visit!
Helpful hints:
- Cost: €21/adults
- Recommended: ages 13 and up
- Tour time: 1 hour
Volksgarten and Burggarten (palace gardens)
These gardens were once the domain of the Hapsburgs. Now you can rest and take in the sights such as the Mozart statue and butterfly garden! Don’t miss eating at the Brasserie Palmenhaus Wien in the palace greenhouse!
General Helpful Hints for Hofburg Palace Complex
- Transportation: Located in the heart of historic Vienna, it’s an easy walk from most tourist hotels. Entrance is off the Michaellerplatz.
- Dining options: I had a lovely lunch in the palace greenhouse cafe, Brasserie Palmenhaus Wien. I highly recommend it!
- Nearby hotels: There are dozens of great hotels in the historic center of Vienna. Check out the Vienna Tourism site for details. We stayed at the nearby Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof, which was nice. I also recommend the Hotel Sacher and Park Hyatt.
- Nearby attractions include: Spanish Riding School (Lipizzaner stallions), Neue Hofburg, House of Austrian History, Ephesus Museum, and Imperial Crypt
Outside of Hofburg Palace Complex
Kapuzinergruft (Imperial Crypt)
This church’s crypt houses the tombs of the Hapsburg monarchy. With over 150 sets of remains here, it is a complex all to itself underground.
I spent time reading the tragic stories of these members of royalty. Money and power couldn’t protect them from the ravages of disease and death.
The most impressive tomb is that of Maria Theresa and her husband.
Of course, Sisi’s tomb is the one that I wanted to see the most. She is buried beside Franz Joseph. Her son, the tragic Prince Rudolf who died in a murder/suicide, is also buried beside his father.
Maria Louise, Napoleon’s second wife, is buried here.
The last Hapsburg to be interred here was in 1989!
Helpful hints:
- Cost: €15/adults; €13/children
- Recommended: ages 13 and up
- Tour time: 1 hour
- Gift shop located at exit
- Transportation: Located in the heart of historic Vienna, it’s an easy walk from most tourist hotels.
- Dining options: The Hotel Sacher restaurants are amazing! Be sure to pick up the Sacher torte for dessert!
- Nearby hotels: The Hotel Sacher is close by.
- Nearby attractions include: the Hofburg Palace complex (listed above), Volksgarten and Burggarten (palace gardens), and Vienna’s central shopping district
Just a twenty-minute drive outside the city center is the winter palace of the Hapsburgs. It rivals Versailles in its grandeur and size. It’s the best place to learn all about the Hapsburgs. A review will be coming soon!
Vienna is preserved as a monument to its role as a leader of Europe under the Hapsburgs. Don’t miss seeing its grandeur for yourself!
Books to Read:
All links are Amazon affiliate links. You can visit my Bookshop.org shop to support independent bookstores and creators.
Adults/Young Adults:
- Hofburg Palace
- The Habsburg Empire: A New History
- Twilight of the Habsburgs: The Life and Times of Emperor Francis Joseph
- The Reluctant Empress (link is to Blackwells in England)
- Seven Sisters: Captives and Rebels in Revolutionary Europe’s First Family
- The Rebel Empresses: Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France, Power and Glamour in the Struggle for Europe
- The Accidental Empress
- Sisi: Empress on Her Own
- The Empress
Middle Grade:
great post and pic’s