A crown with eight sides
The Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire has eight hinged plates instead of a ring, covered with pearls and gems. It was used to crown emperors until 1792.
Urban Tales › Vienna › Imperial Treasury
Imperial Treasury: the history, and the crown of a thousand years
Inside the Hofburg are the crowns, swords and relics of two empires, including the crown used to crown emperors for 800 years. Here's what you're looking at, and what to look for.
Imperial Crown≈ 10th c.
Austrian crown1602
Rooms21
Insidethe Hofburg
Hear the Imperial Treasury story, in the app's voice
A short preview. The full story plays on its own when you walk up to it with Urban Tales.
Three stories most visitors miss
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The unicorn
One of the treasury's most prized objects is a 2.4-meter "unicorn horn". It's actually a narwhal tusk, once believed to have healing powers.
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The crowns that traveled
The Holy Roman Empire's regalia were moved from Nuremberg to Vienna in 1796 to keep them from Napoleon, taken back to Nuremberg by the Nazis in 1938, and returned to Vienna after the war.
TipWalk around the Imperial Crown's case to see the enamel plates on its sides, showing biblical kings. With Urban Tales running, the treasury's story plays as you reach the Swiss Court of the Hofburg.
Nearby landmarks
Imperial Treasury: common questions
Where is the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire?
In the Imperial Treasury (Schatzkammer) of the Hofburg in Vienna.
How old is the Imperial Crown?
It's usually dated to the second half of the 10th century.
Is there a unicorn horn in Vienna?
Yes, in the Imperial Treasury, but it's a narwhal tusk.