Swiss Gate

You’re now standing in the main inner courtyard of the Hofburg Palace. To your right is the striking red and black Swiss Gate, named after the Swiss Guards who stood watch here in the 16th century. This vaulted, Renaissance-style passageway leads into the oldest part of the Hofburg, where you’ll find the Imperial Chapel and the fabulous Treasury— an extraordinary ancient collection amassed by the Habsburgs. To your left, in the centre of the courtyard, there’s a statue of Franz II—the last Holy Roman Emperor and the first Emperor of Austria, who ruled from 1804 to 1835. He declared himself Emperor of Austria to mock Napoleon, who had just crowned himself Emperor of France. The two leaders were rivals during the Napoleonic Wars, both politically and personally. After all, Bonaparte married Franz’s daughter at the end of the War of the Fifth Coalition. There was no separating politics and family in this era… Just look at Franz’s grandchildren: Napoleon II, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, Queen Maria II of Portugal, and Emperor Pedro II of Brazil. Now that’s what you call an international dynasty… The Sisi Museum stands in front of you, where you can discover the former imperial apartments, while learning about the legendary empress, the Habsburg’s day-to-day life at court, and their glory. If this sounds tempting, the entrance is through the archway in front of you…