Located inside the Hofburg Palace complex, the Imperial Treasury Vienna (Kaiserliche Schatzkammer Wien) holds some of Europe's most breathtaking and incredible symbols of power: crowns, relics, and regalia that define centuries of Habsburg rule. The treasures stored here are so ornate that they rival (and arguably surpass) the more well-known British Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.
If you have read our recent blog post on the Louvre Crown Jewel Heist in Paris - where priceless jewels were stolen from their display cases in the Louvre's Apollo Gallery - you will understand why these artifacts of the Habsburg dynasty feel even more extraordinary. Unlike the glittering diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires jewels that symbolized Napoleonic France and the Bourbon Restoration that were stolen from the Louvre, the jewels in Vienna remain proudly on display. The Imperial Treasury Vienna, as such, offers us an up-close look at the intersection of power, faith, wealth, and artistry that was central to the Habsburg Empire.
In this guide, we will discuss what to see, how to visit, and why the Imperial Treasury Vienna deserves a spot on your Vienna itinerary.
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The Imperial Treasury Vienna, or Kaiserliche Schatzkammer Wien, is one of Europe’s most extraordinary collections of royal artifacts, tracing centuries of power, religion, and empire. Housed in the Swiss Wing (Schweizerhof) of the Hofburg Palace, the Imperial Treasury forms part of Vienna’s vast imperial complex, once home to the rulers of the Habsburg dynasty.
To understand the significance of the Imperial Treasury, you have to understand the Habsburgs themselves. For over six centuries, this powerful European family shaped the continent’s history, not through conquest alone, but through strategy and marriage.
From their beginnings as regional counts in the Swiss Alps, the Habsburgs rose to become Holy Roman Emperors, Archdukes of Austria, and Kings and Queens of Spain, Hungary, and Bohemia. By the 16th century, their empire stretched across Central Europe and into the New World, making them one of the most powerful and enduring families in history.
Some of the dynasty’s most famous figures defined entire eras, including:
At the height of their power, the Habsburgs controlled an empire that stretched across much of Central Europe and even into the Americas. Their political reach was matched only by their devotion to grandeur, which is vividly reflected in the objects preserved within the Imperial Treasury's walls.
The collection housed inside the Imperial Treasury Vienna dates as far back as the Middle Ages and was expanded over generations, as the Habsburgs consolidated their dominance. Crowns, robes, and jeweled orbs symbolized divine authority, while religious relics and ceremonial objects reinforced the family’s belief that their right to rule was sanctioned by God. Each artifact, whether a crown worn by an emperor or a relic said to protect the realm, tells part of the story of how the Habsburgs combined faith, ceremony, and spectacle to maintain their rule for nearly 700 years.
Today, the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna oversees the collection, preserving not only the priceless objects themselves but the legacy of an empire that once defined European power. Standing in these rooms, surrounded by centuries of regalia, visitors get a sense of how the Habsburgs saw themselves: not merely as monarchs, but as divinely appointed custodians of a global empire.
For more information about the Kunsthistorisches Museum, be sure to check out our blog on My Favorite Vienna Museums.
Visiting the Imperial Treasury Vienna is about more than just seeing jewels and old royal regalia. Instead, it is about seeing power, faith, and artistry materialized. Every crown, scepter, and relic tells a story of ambition and divine right, of rulers who understood that beauty could be a language of authority. The collection is divided into two parts: the secular treasury, which showcases imperial crowns, regalia, incredible jewelry, and symbols of worldly authority, while the ecclesiastical treasury holds sacred relics and objects that once tied the Habsburgs’ rule to divine will. Here is what to look for during your visit:
The Treasury's centerpiece and most famous artifact is the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire, also known as the Crown of Charlemagne, dating back to the 10th century. The Imperial Crown was made for Otto the Great, but it was named after Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor. Crafted from gold and adorned with sapphires, emeralds, pearls, and amethysts in the Byzantine style, the crown symbolizes nearly a millennium of European history.
The Imperial Crown is composed of eight golden panels forming an octagon, four of which are beautifully enameled with scenes from the Old Testament, reflecting divine authority over earthly power. The 12 large stones on the front and back plates of the crown are said to represent the 12 apostles, the 12 tribes of Israel, and the 12 sons of Jacob. The cross was likely added sometime in the 11th century.
The Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire was used in the coronations of emperors beginning with Otto the Great in 962 AD, onward until the last Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, was crowned in 1792. Since Francis II conveniently became the first Emperor of Austria in 1804, the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire ended up in Vienna. The crown miraculously survived World War II unscathed.
While the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire represents the origins of empire, the Austrian Imperial Crown (also called the Rudolfskrone) embodies its refinement. Commissioned in 1602 for Emperor Rudolf II, it became the official symbol of the Austrian Empire in the 19th century. The orb and scepter that accompany it glimmer with meticulous craftsmanship, including: gold filigree, pearls, and enamel that radiate imperial opulence.
What makes the Austrian Imperial Crown especially significant is that it still exists. The Austrian Imperial Crown was commissioned for Emperor Rudolf II not as a state crown, but a private crown. Private crowns were rarely preserved. Insead, they were typically melted down or repurposed into new regalia after their owner's death. However, this crown endured because of how beautiful it was considered to be at the time.
The orb and scepter that accompany it also glimmer with meticulous craftsmanship - gold filigree, pearls, and enamel that radiate imperial opulence.
Few treasures in the Imperial Treasury Vienna capture the intersection of faith, loyalty, and prestige quite like the Order of the Golden Fleece. Founded in 1430 by Duke Philip III of Burgundy, the order was originally created to promote Catholic values and chivalric ideals among Europe’s most powerful nobles. When the Habsburgs inherited the Burgundian territories through marriage, they also inherited the Order, and transformed it into one of the most prestigious symbols of imperial favor in Europe.
In the hands of the Habsburgs, the Order became a powerful diplomatic tool. Membership signified loyalty to the empire and the Catholic faith, binding Europe’s nobility to the emperor not by bloodline but by honor. The collars, brooches, and medallions you see at the Imperial Treasury Vienna gleam with gold and precious gemstones, but their true value lies in what they represented: a carefully curated image of divine right, moral virtue, and absolute power.
The treasures of the Order of the Golden Fleece on display also include a series of incredibly detailed liturgical vestments from the 1400s. While photos do not do the vestments justice, the embroidery is among the best we have ever seen. Period.
Jetset Seeker Fun Fact: The Order of the Golden Fleece still exists today with two branches, one in Spain and the other in Austria.
For centuries, the Habsburgs viewed themselves not just as monarchs but as divine protectors of the Christian world. The Treasury reflects this blend of piety and prestige. One of the most notable of these relics is the Holy Lance. According to Christian legend, it is the spear used by a Roman soldier to pierce the side of Jesus during the Crucifixion.
The Imperial Cross, also on display in the Imperial Treasury, dating to the early 11th century, was designed to hold the Holy Lance, as well as fragments of the True Cross.
Other ecclesiastical artifacts are on display in the Imperial Treasury Vienna, including: gold chalices, a bejeweled prayer book that once belonged to Emperor Ferdinand II from 1590, and elaborate reliquaries designed to hold a nail from the True Cross and a thorn from the Crown of Thorns.
One of the most unexpected treasures in the collection is the cradle of the King of Rome, the son of Napoleon Bonaparte and Marie Louise of Austria (herself a Habsburg princess).
Commissioned in 1811 as a gift from the city of Paris, the cradle is an extravagant masterpiece of Empire-style: doves and laurel wreaths frame the royal emblem of Napoleon’s eagle. Yet behind its beauty lies tragedy - Napoleon’s empire collapsed just a few years after his son’s birth, and the young “King of Rome” died in Vienna at age 21, never ruling a day.
This singular artifact bridges two empires, French and Austrian, and stands as a quiet testament to the rise and fall of dynasties. A far more modest cradle used by the King of Rome is also on view at the Château de Fontainebleau in France.
Tickets for the Imperial Treasury Vienna can be purchased both online and in-person at the Imperial Treasury. However, we recommend that you purchase your tickets online, ahead of your visit, as you will receive a small discount by purchasing them online. Tickets can be purchased on the Imperial Treasury Vienna website or through our affiliate partner, GetYourGuide*.
*If you purchase your admission tickets through our affiliate partner, GetYourGuide, your payment will be processed in USD rather than Euros; a convenient option if your credit card charges foreign transaction fees.
Ticket Prices for the Imperial Treasury Vienna are as follows:
Admission for children under the age of 19 is free of charge. Discounted admission is also available for Ö1 Club members, individuals with special needs and their caretakers, conscripts (military/social service), and the unemployed.
The Vienna Pass is an all-in-one sightseeing card that gives you free entry to more than 70 of Vienna’s top attractions, along with fast-track access at select sites and unlimited rides on the city’s Hop-On Hop-Off buses operated by Vienna Sightseeing Tours.
The Vienna Pass is designed for travelers who plan to see multiple landmarks and want to save both time and money which is especially useful if you are exploring several museums or palaces within a few days.
Attractions are subject to change, so it is always best to confirm current listings on the official Vienna Pass website.
The Vienna Pass is available for 1, 2, 3, or 6 consecutive days, depending on how long you are staying in the city. Each option activates automatically the first time you use it at an attraction or on a sightseeing bus.
The hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses are included with all pass types, making it easy to travel between major attractions, a convenient perk if you are trying to see the city efficiently without navigating public transportation.
If you are planning to visit three or more paid attractions per day, the Vienna Pass typically pays for itself. It is especially worthwhile for travelers who plan to explore both Schönbrunn Palace and the Hofburg complex (including the Imperial Treasury and Sisi Museum), as single entry tickets add up quickly.
If you purchase your pass through our partner GetYourGuide, you will be charged in USD rather than euros. This is a small but handy perk if your credit card charges foreign transaction fees. (Booking through our link also helps support Jetset Seeker at no extra cost to you.)
Combo Tickets
If your Vienna itinerary includes some additional sightseeing while you are in the city, you can choose between two different combo ticket options that include admission to the Imperial Treasury Vienna along with two other fantastic attractions in Vienna: the Imperial Carriage Museum (located within the Schönbrunn Palace complex) and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
These combo tickets can be purchased either online via the Imperial Treasury Vienna website, through our affiliate partner GetYourGuide, or in-person at whichever attraction you choose to visit first. The tickets do not need to be used on the same day. Double-check with the ticket office for expiration dates.
The "Treasures of the Habsburgs" combo ticket, which includes admission to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, retails for €30 for adults, which amounts to a savings of €8 in the event you were to purchase admission for both of these incredible Vienna museums separately.
The "Empress Elisabeth" combo ticket, which includes admission to the Imperial Carriage Museum, retails for €25 for adults, which amounts to €5 savings if you were to purchase admission to the Imperial Treasury Vienna and the Imperial Carriage Museum separately.
The Imperial Treasury Vienna is closed on Tuesdays. The Imperial Treasury is otherwise open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with the last admission at 5:00 PM.
Reaching the Imperial Treasury Vienna is easy thanks to its central location within the Hofburg Palace complex.
The entrance to the Imperial Treasury is through the Schweizerhof Courtyard (pictured below). Look for signs for Kaiserliche Schatzkammer Wien.
Since the Imperial Treasury is located within the Hofburg Palace complex, it is easy to make it part of full-day itinerary exploring Vienna’s imperial past. Here are some nearby attractions that pair well with the Imperial Treasury Vienna:
The Sisi Museum & Imperial Apartments: Located within the same wing of the Hofburg Palace, the Sisi Museum & Imperial Apartments offer an intimate glimpse into the life of Empress Elisabeth (“Sisi”), one of Europe’s most fascinating and misunderstood royals. The exhibits capture both her elegance and her restlessness, from her exercise routine to her personal belongings, set against the backdrop of lavish palatial interiors.
Spanish Riding School: Just steps from the Imperial Treasury, this legendary institution is home to the Lipizzaner stallions, who have become a symbol of Austrian tradition. Tickets for performances can sell out in advance, but morning exercises are open to the public. Tickets are required. For more information, please visit the Spanish Riding School website.
Prunksaal (State Hall) of the Austrian National Library: Housed in another wing of the Hofburg Palace, the State Hall is one of the most beautiful Baroque libraries in the world. Marble statues, frescoes, and shelves lined with ancient manuscripts make it feel more like a cathedral to knowledge than a reading room. The State Hall is a great hidden gem in Vienna!
Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum): Just across Maria-Theresien-Platz, this museum was built by Emperor Franz Joseph to house the Habsburgs’ vast art collection. Inside, you will find works by Titian, Velázquez, Caravaggio, and Bruegel, along with the same sense of grandeur you will feel in the Imperial Treasury. The building itself, with its sweeping staircase and domed ceiling, is a masterpiece worth visiting on its own.
A visit to the Imperial Treasury Vienna should last around 90 minutes. Here are a few ways to make the most of it, from timing your visit to immersing yourself in the history of the treasures held inside.
For us, the Imperial Treasury is our favorite museum in Vienna. We have enjoyed visiting it so much, that we have actually been twice! There is something incredible about seeing these artifacts - the royal regalia, religious relics, and centuries of craftsmanship - up close. The audio guide adds so much context, connecting each piece to the broader story of the Habsburg Empire’s rise and influence. Standing in those rooms, surrounded by objects that once embodied absolute power, give us a clearer understanding of Vienna’s past, and why its sense of grandeur still lingers today. Plus, who doesn't like to see some of the most exquisite jewelry pieces in the world up-close?!
There is a reason the Imperial Treasury Vienna deserves a place on your itinerary, and it is not just for the gold or the jewels. Visiting is not about admiring objects behind glass; it is about understanding the ideas they were meant to represent.
These crowns, relics, and robes are not random artifacts. They are symbols of how the Habsburgs defined power, faith, and identity. To see the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire, the Holy Lance, or the cradle of Napoleon’s son is not just to check off another museum. It is to stand at the crossroads of history and myth, where divine right met human ambition.
Visiting museums like this help make sense of Vienna itself. The city’s elegance and rituals, all trace back to the legacy preserved here. Visiting the Imperial Treasury Vienna is less about sightseeing and more about seeing why Vienna is the way it is: a city that has never stopped balancing grandeur with purpose.
If you have read our Vienna Travel Blog, you already know we are drawn to places that reveal the historic side of a city. The Imperial Treasury is exactly that. It is not overcrowded or overhyped, and it is one of the few museums in Vienna that manages to feel both intimate and monumental at the same time.
Visiting the Imperial Treasury fits naturally into any Vienna itinerary, especially if you are exploring the Hofburg Palace complex or planning a Vienna to Bratislava day trip. And, if it is your first time here, do not miss our essential travel tips for Vienna, from navigating the museums and coffeehouses to planning your route through the city’s historic core.
The Imperial Treasury Vienna may not get as much attention as Schönbrunn Palace or the Vienna State Opera, but it is one of those places that help you begin to understand how Vienna became what it is today.
Every traveler experiences Vienna differently. Some fall in love with its palaces, others with its café culture. For us, it is the quiet beauty of the Imperial Treasury. What about you? Tell us your favorite experience in Vienna in the comments below! Or, if you’re still in the planning stages of your trip, let us know what you are the most excited to see!