The Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum and the Silver Collection are located in the Vienna Imperial Palace, which served as the residence and power center of the Habsburg Empire for 600 years.
The three attractions are among the most-visited sites in Austrian history, as they offer special insights into the imperial lifestyle and everyday court life of the Habsburgs.
Here you can find out everything you need to know about the three highlights of Austria's imperial heritage.
Imperial Apartments
In accordance with courtly tradition, each member of the imperial family was given their own room, which was housed in one of the many wings of the imperial winter residence.
Today, the former imperial apartments of the penultimate Austrian imperial couple, Franz Joseph and Elisabeth, can be visited in the Reich Chancellery Wing and in the Amalienburg of the Imperial Palace.
The imperial apartments, which have been restored according to historical models and furnished true to the original, give you historically authentic insights into the private living atmosphere of Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife Elisabeth, also known as Sisi.
During a tour of the 19 imperial rooms, you can explore the different chambers from the Kaiserstiege to audience and study rooms to the living rooms and bedrooms. The highlight is Sisi's gym and toilet room.
Sisi Museum
The Sisi Museum in the Imperial Apartments is dedicated to the life of the beloved empress. In the midst of the original living environment, you can follow in Sisi's footsteps and take a look at numerous personal items.
On 400 m², original objects and imitations tell of her personality and the real life of the often misunderstood Empress Sisi.
Beginning with her tragic death, each of the six rooms illuminates how the myth of Sisi came about and went down in history. Around 300 objects, including clothing, hair clips, umbrellas, fans, beauty recipes and her first-aid kit, give you an emotional insight into Sisi's private and official world.
Silver Collection
In the silver collection in the Reich Chancellery wing, you can admire magnificent pieces of imperial tableware. Approximately 7,000 of the 150,000 objects are presented on the 1,300 m² area.
The collection consists of exquisite court table silver, precious porcelain, crystal glasses, magnificent centerpieces, simple cookware, baking utensils and the linens of the court kitchen. Many of the exhibits were in use during the Habsburg monarchy. The collection comes from the stocks of the former court silver and table chamber.
During your tour you will not only get an insight into the dining culture, but also into the court ceremonies of the House of Habsburg and the table decorations.
Admission, Tickets & Guided Tours
- Admission: Adults pay €15 to enter the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments and the Silver Collection. Children and young people from 6 to 18 years pay 9 €. The ticket is valid for all three areas. A free audio guide in 13 languages is also included in the price.
- Sisi Ticket: Entry to three attractions in Vienna: Schönbrunn Palace, the Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments & Silver Collection in the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Furniture Collection & Furniture Museum Vienna.
- Schönbrunn Group Pass: With this ticket, all imperial highlights of the Schönbrunn Group can be visited. It includes the Schönbrunn Palace, the Sisi Museum, the Vienna Furniture Museum and the Imperial Palace. You can find more information about tickets on the Imperial Palace's website.
- Guided Tours: Interested visitors can delve deeper into the history of the Habsburgs on a tour of the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments. Guided tours are offered daily in German and English. The entrance fee including the guided tour is €18 for adults. You can find an overview of the tours here.
More Sights in the Imperial Palace
- State Hall of the Austrian National Library
- Spanish Riding School
- Imperial Treasury
- World Museum Vienna
- Papyrus Museum of the Austrian National Library
- Ephesus Museum
- Vienna Court Hunting and Armory
- Collection of Ancient Musical Instruments
- Butterfly House
- Burggarten
- Volksgarten
- Austrian President's Chancellery (Seat of the Federal President)
- Federal Chancellery
History
The Vienna Imperial Palace in the heart of the city was the imperial main and winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty from the 13th century until the end of the monarchy in 1918. For centuries it was the center of power of the Habsburgs and is still the political center of Austria.
Over the centuries, the initial castle complex from the 13th century has been steadily expanded. Each emperor had a wing or wing added, which owes its current appearance to the mighty building complex, which now has 18 wings, 19 courtyards and 2,600 rooms.
Since the end of the monarchy in 1918, the Imperial Palace has been the property of the Austrian Republic. The court household was also dissolved and became the property of the Republic of Austria. A part of the former court and silver collection has been shown in a museum collection that has been open to the public since 1923 in the former offices of the silver collection. Since April 1, 1995, the Silver Collection Museum has presented courtly dining culture with its glamorous everyday objects.
The Imperial Apartments have been welcoming visitors since November 1994.
Since 2004, the Sisi Museum has also opened its doors to the public.
Contact
- Address: Hofburg, Michaeler dome, 1010 Vienna
- Subway: U3 Herrengasse
- Opening Times: The Sisi Museum, the Imperial Apartments and the Silver Collection are open daily. The current opening times can be found here.