The Imperial Crypt, or Kaisergruft, has served as a major burial place of the Habsburgs since the 17th century. The Capuchin order still cares for the crypt, which now contains the remains of around 150 members of the dynasty in rooms filled with sarcophagi ranging from restrained metal coffins to extravagant Baroque monuments.
The tombs most visitors come to see
Emperor Franz Joseph I, Empress Elisabeth — better known as Sisi — and Crown Prince Rudolf lie together in one of the most visited sections. Their tombs give immediate human context to the story told in the Hofburg's Sisi Museum and make the crypt a strong follow-on stop after an imperial-history morning.
Maria Theresa's sarcophagus is the visual centrepiece
The enormous double sarcophagus of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Franz I is one of the crypt's most elaborate works. Its scale and decoration are a reminder that this is not simply a cemetery: the tombs are also political and artistic statements about dynasty, rank and memory.
What the crypt teaches better than a palace
Palaces emphasise ceremony and wealth; the Kaisergruft gives you the succession of generations. Walking past rulers, spouses and children makes the Habsburg family tree feel much more concrete, especially if names from the Hofburg, Schönbrunn or Austrian history have started to blur together.
The famous Habsburg burial tradition
For some Habsburg burials, the body, heart and internal organs were placed in different locations. The Imperial Crypt held the bodies, while hearts could be placed in the Augustinian Church and viscera in the catacombs of St Stephen's Cathedral. The practice varied over time, so treat it as a historical tradition rather than a rule that applied identically to every family member.
Opening hours and tickets
The crypt currently lists daily opening from 10:00 to 18:00, with last admission before closing. Adult admission is currently €15. Prices, tour schedules and special closures can change, so check the official Kaisergruft site if a guided tour or exact admission cost matters to your plans.
How long to spend
Allow 45–60 minutes for a normal visit. History enthusiasts can easily spend longer reading inscriptions and following dynastic relationships, but most travellers do not need half a day. The site is underground and compact, making it particularly useful in poor weather or between larger attractions.
Getting there and pairing the visit
The entrance is by the Capuchin Church at Neuer Markt in the Innere Stadt. Stephansplatz is the most useful nearby U-Bahn hub. The Albertina, Hofburg, State Opera and St Stephen's Cathedral are all within an easy central walk, so the crypt fits naturally into an imperial-history route rather than requiring its own transport-heavy outing.
Who should prioritise it?
Prioritise the Kaisergruft if Sisi, Franz Joseph, Maria Theresa or Habsburg history interests you. If you have little interest in dynastic history and only a day in Vienna, the city's great palace interiors and art collections will probably give you more. The crypt's appeal is atmosphere and historical continuity, not architectural spectacle.
Best sequence
Visit the Hofburg first, then walk to the Imperial Crypt. Seeing the imperial apartments and Sisi material before the tombs gives the burial site far more context.
Opening, admission and collection details checked against the official Kaisergruft visitor information in September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is buried in Vienna's Imperial Crypt?
Around 150 members of the Habsburg dynasty are represented, including Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi).
How long do you need at the Imperial Crypt?
About 45–60 minutes is enough for most visitors.
Is the Imperial Crypt the same as St Stephen's catacombs?
No. They are separate sites, although historical Habsburg burial traditions linked several Vienna churches and crypts.