With one exception, only members of the ruling dynasty of Austria, the House of Habsburg, have been buried here since 1633. 148 aristocrats, including 12 emperors and 19 empresses and queens, have found their last resting place here. The glorious double casket of Maria Theresa and her husband, Emperor Francis I, sculpted by B. F. Moll, is of particular artistic merit.

The simple coffin of their son, Joseph II, on the other hand, presents a stark contrast. Francis Joseph, in 1916, was the last emperor entombed here. In 1989, a solemn funeral was held for Empress Zita, the widow of Emperor Charles I, who had reigned from 1916 to 1918. To this day, the Capuchin friars are the guardians and caretakers of the vault. According to tradition, from 1654 to 1878, the hearts of the Habsburgs were entombed in a special vault in the Church of the Augustinian Friars.

Kaisergruft (Kapuzinergruft)

1., Neuer Markt / Tegetthoffstraße
U, tram, bus: Karlsplatz/Oper,
U1, U3: Stephansplatz
tel. 512 68 53
Daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
www.kaisergruft.at