{"id":12848,"date":"2019-03-08T06:43:03","date_gmt":"2019-03-08T05:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=12848"},"modified":"2025-09-29T11:34:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T10:34:04","slug":"habsburgs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/habsburgs\/","title":{"rendered":"The Habsburgs: a guide for visitors"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/franzjoseph.jpg\" alt=\"Statue of Emperor Franz Joseph\" class=\"wp-image-12905\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/franzjoseph.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/franzjoseph-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Wander around Vienna and you come across numerous references to Habsburg this and Habsburg that. Monarchs, emperors, archduchesses, and empires. It&#8217;s easy to lose track. So here&#8217;s a quick and simple guide for visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Book a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-city-tours-l205280\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_ToursHabs\" rel=\"sponsored\">guided tour<\/a>* in the Habsburg capital<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1632\">Sightseeing in Vienna<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/famous-people\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1666\">Famous footsteps<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vienna and the Habsburgs<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/michaelerplatznight.jpg\" alt=\"Michaelerplatz at night\" class=\"wp-image-43867\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/michaelerplatznight.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/michaelerplatznight-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Michaelerplatz end of the Habsburg <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/hofburg\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"2708\">Hofburg complex<\/a> in the centre of Vienna)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All those names can get a little confusing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, was there ever such a thing as a Habsburg Empire? What was the Austrian Empire? Is Austria-Hungary the same thing? Who were the Spanish Habsburgs? And who or what is, actually, an Archduke or Archduchess?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most importantly, did court painters exaggerate the size of Emperor Franz Joseph\u2019s moustache?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(No, they didn&#8217;t. Bow down before the hirsute prowess of Franz Joseph).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So let me offer you some quick explanations to guide you through the complexities of Habsburg history and terminology.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/schoenbrunnpalaceentrance.jpg\" alt=\"Entrance to Sch\u00f6nbrunn Palace\" class=\"wp-image-43482\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/schoenbrunnpalaceentrance.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/schoenbrunnpalaceentrance-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Habsburg summer palace at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/palace-of-schonbrunn\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1672\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For centuries, Vienna effectively stood at the administrative centre of an ever-changing collection of lands ruled by the Habsburg family dynasty. Emperors and Empresses made their home in the city and constructed many of the historical sights you visit as a tourist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At times, these Habsburg lands stretched all the way from today&#8217;s Italy to Poland and as far east as Romania. (Not to mention periods of Habsburg power and influence in such places as Mexico and the Netherlands.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, of course, Vienna is &#8220;only&#8221; the capital of Austria: a democratic country that covers an area smaller than most US states. It has no monarchy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The short articles listed below provide a little background on the rise and fall of the Habsburgs to help you make more of your visit to Vienna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In particular, the articles explain the confusing Habsburg-related terms bandied around in guidebooks and at tourist sites.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/franzmonument1.jpg\" alt=\"Bronze monument in the Hofburg\" class=\"wp-image-52375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/franzmonument1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/franzmonument1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/emperor-franz-monument\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"52378\">monument to Emperor Franz II\/I<\/a> in an inner courtyard of the Hofburg complex, a man of such substance that he got two Roman numerals after his name)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I recommend reading these in order:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/habsburg-monarchy-introduction\/\">The Habsburg Monarchy<\/a>: where did the Habsburgs rule and why is Vienna so important?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/holy-roman-empire\/\">The Holy Roman Empire<\/a>: discover why this particular empire is critical for understanding Habsburg history<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/austrian-empire\/\">The Austrian Empire<\/a>: how and why the many Habsburg lands became an empire in their own right in 1804<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/austria-hungary\/\">Austria-Hungary<\/a>: how and why the Austrian Empire morphed into Austria-Hungary in 1867<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/austria\/\">Austria<\/a>: it may sound a strange question, but what does the word &#8220;Austria&#8221; actually refer to? It&#8217;s not always as simple as it seems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/other-habsburg-terms\/\">Other Habsburg terms<\/a>: so far so good, but where do the Spanish Habsburgs come into this? What about the Hapsburgs (with a P)? These and other side questions answered<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/habsburg-emperors-archdukes\/\">Empresses and Archdukes<\/a>: what do the Habsburg titles mean and who got them? And discover why lucky Emperor Franz II\/I had those two numerals after his name<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/k-k\/\">k. u. k. and k. k.<\/a>: finally, you find these abbreviations everywhere (even today) in connection with the Habsburg court, but what do they stand for?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I also have a couple of articles explaining the importance of notable Habsburg personalities to today&#8217;s Vienna and visitors. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/sisi\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34621\">Empress Elisabeth<\/a>: discover what makes &#8220;Sisi&#8221; such a fascinating personality and where to learn more when in the city<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/franz-joseph\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26307\">Emperor Franz Joseph<\/a>: see how the last &#8220;great&#8221; Habsburg emperor left his mark on the cityscape<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>P.S. If you&#8217;re in Vienna, then your two key Habsburg locations are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/hofburg\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"2708\">the Hofburg<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/palace-of-schonbrunn\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1672\">Sch\u00f6nbrunn palace<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wander around Vienna and you come across numerous references to Habsburg this and Habsburg that. Monarchs, emperors, archduchesses, and empires. It&#8217;s easy to lose track. So here&#8217;s a quick and simple guide for visitors. Vienna and the Habsburgs (The Michaelerplatz end of the Habsburg Hofburg complex in the centre of Vienna) All those names can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12905,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-12848","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-culture","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12848"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86119,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12848\/revisions\/86119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12905"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}