Schatzkammer displays the majesty of the Habsburgs kings. The jewels on the crown of this dynasty are a reminder of the wealth, power and prestige that the Habsburgs flaunted. Even the baby’s crib puts all other cribs to shame. While the Habsburgs were the faces of the empire, there were hordes of people who ran the household and the court and changed the babies’ diapers. The court, which was the power behind the scenes that ensured the crowns were polished instead of wearing them, were not defined as the court but “as a family extended to include all persons who were called to serve it.”[1]
The Treasury displays its most valuable pieces and I found that the exhibits here really helped me recognize the difference between Gothic and Baroque styles. Many of the Gothic pieces, which date before the 1600, are mostly black and have very intricate designs. The Baroque is more like a sunburst that stands out because of its grandeur and gold. The Treasury has the pieces labeled with dates so it makes it easy to place the artifacts on a timeline and see how they change through styles of the centuries.
While the Schatzkammer holds the evidence of the Habsburgs life, the Kaisergruft holds the evidence of their death. The Kaisergruft is in fact the resting place for the remains of Habsburgs themselves. If the crown had any indication of their wealth, the Emperor’s Tomb made sure to immortalize their power and prestige after death. The Habsburgs’ coffins are by no means any ordinary coffins, but they are massive and decorated with skulls and crowns. The most spectacular is Marie Theresia, who is on top of her casket seated with a sword in her hand and a Cherub giving her an eternal crown. Also, close by us a stone replica of her earthly crown and other pieces that are similar to those on display in the treasury. It makes sense that someone who resided in Schönbrunn just for the summer would need something spectacular for Austria to mourn the loss of its Empress. Being in the cool tomb where the Holy Roman Emperors of Germany are laid to rest was not only eerie but pretty awesome.
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