Imperial Crypt, Vienna

Just beneath Vienna鈥檚 bustling New Market square-right next to the Hofburg Palace and well within ghost-whispering distance of history-you鈥檒l find the Imperial Crypt, also known as the Capuchin Crypt. Sounds mysterious? Oh, it is indeed. This underground vault has been hosting the who鈥檚-who of the Habsburg dynasty since 1633, and let's just say... the guest list is pretty exclusive.

The idea for this eternal VIP lounge came from Anna of Tyrol, wife of Emperor Matthias. In a rather poetic twist, she signed off on the funds in her will in 1617 and died a year later, followed promptly by her husband. Talk about a couple with a plan...

Formally consecrated in 1632, the crypt now holds 145 Habsburgs, including 12 emperors and 18 empresses. And for those who preferred a more minimalist approach to eternal rest, there are also heart urns-because why be buried once when you can be distributed like royalty?

Inside, you鈥檒l find 107 ornate metal sarcophagi ranging from 鈥渕odestly morbid鈥� to 鈥渞ococo realness.鈥� It鈥檚 part cemetery, part sculpture gallery, and part history lesson with a Gothic flourish.

Come to think of it, this isn鈥檛 just a tomb. It鈥檚 the final chapter of an empire written in bronze and baroque. It鈥檚 where Vienna whispers her imperial secrets. And let鈥檚 be honest-what鈥檚 a trip to Vienna without a little royal drama from six feet under?

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vienna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Imperial Crypt
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Vienna Old Town Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Vienna, Austria

Create Your Own Walk in Vienna

Creating your own self-guided walk in Vienna is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Mozart Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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Famous Homes of Vienna

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The often modest apartments of Vienna's famous... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour II

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Around the turn of the 20th century, the Austrian capital caught the Art Nouveau fever and decided that straight lines, drab walls, and historical imitation simply wouldn鈥檛 do anymore. Instead, it took to ornamental swirls, flowing curves, floral flourishes, and enough decorative detail... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

Klimt Paintings Tour

"I have the gift of neither the spoken nor the written word, especially if I have to say something about myself or my work. Whoever wants to know something about me - as an artist, the only notable thing - ought to look carefully at my pictures" 鈥� Gustav Klimt.

Klimt's name is indelibly linked to Vienna. The renowned symbolist painter was a prominent figure in the city. As a... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

Old Town Chocolate Stores

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Vienna's chocolate scene is deeply rooted in a rich culinary tradition. It has been sustained by several historic chocolate houses, located in the Old Town, that have been serving decadent treats for generations.

Landmark... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles

Old Town Churches Walking Tour

"Vienna is the city of miracles and music" 鈥� Whoever said that must have emphasized Vienna's close association with the Christian faith. The intertwining of Christian heritage and artistry in the Austrian capital finds expression primarily in its magnificent churches.

Sitting at "the crossroads of Christian traditions", Vienna is home to various Christian... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

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