Travel Photo Monday

 Imperial collections of the Hapsburgs – Travel Photo Mondays

It’s Monday morning, time to enjoy some gorgeous travel photography and inspiration from around the world. Let’s banish those Monday blues by sharing beautiful imagery and personal story telling. You can also check us out on Twitter for Travel Photo Mondays at #tpMondays for more updates and submissions for the day.

 Imperial collections of the Hapsburgs

Imperial collections of the Hapsburgs

 

The Imperial collection of the Hapsburgs is housed in a permanent collection of its own and located next to the Hofburg palace. These royal treasures and secular gifts and tributes to the Hapsburg rulers are truly spectacular to see and enjoy. If you are into royal treasures, then put this on your must visit museums for Vienna.  Located in the oldest section of the Hofburg palace, the treasury houses over 21 rooms of very rare imperial treasure from the Hapsburg dynasty.

 

 Imperial crown of the Holy Roman Empire

Royal Hapsburg jewels and crowns

Royal Hapsburg jewels and crowns

It’s all about the jewels

There are many jeweled crowns located in the treasury, including the imperial crown, orb and scepter of the Hapsburg emperor (first photograph). Most of these royal treasures are housed in the secular rooms of the museum. Royal regalia were used primarily in ceremonies to attest the political power, geographic reach and wealth of the House of Hapsburg. It looks like they loved to cram in jewels into every accessory and royal adornment just to how significant the Hapsburg rulers were during the height of their rule in Western and Eastern Europe.

 

 The royal crown of the Hapsburg empress

 

Royal Hapsburg crowns

Royal Hapsburg crowns

Royal jewelry of the Hapsburg treasures

Royal jewelry of the Hapsburg treasures

Precious metals and jewelry

Outside of the imperial regalia, there are separate precious jewels including the largest emerald in the world which you can view. The rarest of jewels including rubies and emeralds were fashioned into elaborate brooches, earrings,  necklaces and other fashion accessories. (above photo). Even the royal cloaks and clothing were adorned with precious metals and jewelry and there are room after room of elaborate cloaks,  gowns and royal attire and accessories to gawk at and admire the precious craftsmanship and artwork of the royal fabricators and artists.

 

 

 

Hapburg jewelry collections

Hapsburg jewelry collections

Nail cruxifiction of Jesus Christ

Nail crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Holy treasures of the Hapsburg collections

 

A large section of ecclesiastical collections or holy treasures are sectioned off in a separate part of the collection. These consist of holy treasures of devotional altars, images and holy treasures. In typical Roman Catholic excess, the treasures are encased in elaborate and finely made casings or reliquary. Most of these treasures are elaborate and produced during the baroque period, known for high craft and rococo details. The most important holy treasures include what was believed to be remnants or articles of objects during the time of Jesus Christ. This included: what was believed to be the holy grail, a part of Jesus’ crucifixion cross fashioned into an elaborate jewel crusted cross. The reliquary above has a  nail driven into Jesus hand during his crucifixion. The treasure below is a shroud of Jesus Christ also known as the Veil of Veronica.

 

 

Holy shroud of  Jesus Christ

Holy shroud of Jesus Christ

 

 

 

Miniature treasures of the Hapsburg collections

Miniature treasures of the Hapsburg collections

Miniature treasures

The Hapsburg collections also have within its extensive jewelry collection miniature treasures including pendants, rings and brooches.  Many included figures like cupids, along with the requisite gold, precious jewels and pearls like the brooch above. Beautifully crafted designs and ornamental details were expertly created with royal artisans that made exquisite miniatures for the royals pleasure. It is amazing to see such a fine collection of miniature portraits, lockets, Faberge eggs and jewelry fashioned with elaborate precious metals and rare jewels, the Miniature collection truly dazzles!

 

 

Miniature treasures of the Hapsburg collections

Miniature treasures of the Hapsburg collections

 

 

Thanks for visiting the Imperial collections of the Hapsburgs for Travel Photo Mondays, hope you enjoyed the tour. Please do check out the other bloggers participating for today’s linkup below.

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