Austria's crown jewels offer a unique insight into medieval Europe

By Horst Heinz Grimm Feb 7, 2012, 3:06 GMT

Vienna - The octagonal crown fashioned from pure gold is studded with 144 precious stones and just as many pearls yet it is a priceless artifact for other reasons.

The crown almost certainly once graced the head of the first German emperor Otto I more than 1,000 years ago. For hundreds of years it has been one of the most potent symbols of the Holy Roman Empire, the German kingdom which stretched across most of Central Europe.

Today it rests together with the other Austrian crown jewels behind reinforced glass in the Imperial Treasury or 'Schatzkammer' at the Hofburg palace in the Austrian capital Vienna.

'Around 280,000 visitors come here every year,' said Anja Priewe who works for the marketing department of the city's tourist authority. Tourists flock to see the imperial regalia but few of them take the time to look closely at particular objects.

French historian Henri Gillard studied the imperial insignia in detail and has much to tell about their history and significance. 'At the beginning of the 19th century they were brought here from Aachen and Nuremberg to save them from advancing troops under Napoleon,' he explains.

The most important of the crown jewels are the Imperial Orb, the Sceptre, Sword and Holy Lance. 'This is one the most complete set of royal objects dating back to the Middle Ages that we have,' said Gaillard. The Treasury of the Order of the Golden Fleece, which was founded in 1430, is also kept at the Hofburg. That collection houses various Order items, including flowing ecclesiastical vestments. Also kept at the Hofburg is the Crown of the Austrian Empire which was made in Prague in 1602 and represents one of the pinnacles of the European goldsmith's art.

The Imperial Treasury consists of 20 chambers with ecclesiastical and secular sections. Of the 500 objects on display the Austrian royal crown is one of the items most admired by visitors, who can be heard murmuring reverentially 'lovely' or 'how beautiful.' A 492-carat Aquamarine holds a similar fascination, particularly for female visitors.

Exquisite jewel-studded relics such as the 14th century Anjou Cross, magnificent vestments and gilded monstrances bear witness to the deeply religious spirit of past centuries in the Catholic regions of the Holy Roman Empire. They are all conserved behind glass in dark oaken display cabinets commissioned by Emperor Karl VI in the first half of the 18th century. Other bygones, such as a 16th century image of the Virgin Mary from Mexico and made from the feathers of parrots and hummingbirds, are unlikely to appeal to latter day environmental conservationists.

Tourists from all over the world descend on Vienna in large numbers, forming queues in front of the Imperial Treasury. Visitors should plan at least 90 minutes for a tour of the collection.

Fortunately, the attraction is quieter in the off-season. 'November is a good time to come along with from January until March,' advises Priewe. It is worth noting that the museum is closed from February 13-24 but is otherwise open every day except Tuesdays between 9 am and 5 pm. Admission costs 12 euros per person (15.60 dollars).