Imperial Crypt
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Atmospheric and quietly dramatic, Imperial Crypt is the Habsburg burial vault beneath Vienna's Capuchin Church, also known as Kaisergruft or Kapuzinergruft. In ten crypt rooms near Neuer Markt, you pass ornate sarcophagi for Maria Theresa, Franz Joseph I, Empress Elisabeth, and generations of imperial Vienna.
Start with an entry ticket if you want a focused, self-paced visit with less waiting at busy Old Town times.
Start with an entry ticket if you want a focused, self-paced visit with less waiting at busy Old Town times.
Select a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:
Entry tickets
Best for most visitors: book admission, then take 45 to 60 minutes for the sarcophagi, symbols, and Franz Joseph group without building your whole Vienna day around a fixed tour.Vienna: Imperial Crypt Entrance Ticket
4.6(1592)
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6 tips for visiting the Imperial Crypt
1
Go early or late
If you want the crypt to feel properly still, aim for opening time or the later afternoon. Around midday at Neuer Markt, the narrow rooms can fill quickly, so a quieter slot makes the names and details easier to absorb.
2
Book before busy days
If your Vienna day falls on a weekend, holiday period, or rainy museum-heavy afternoon, book before you walk over from Stephansplatz or Albertinaplatz. The crypt has limited space, and having your ticket ready keeps the short stop low-stress.
3
Choose a tour for symbols
If coats of arms, skulls, crowns, and family links blur together for you, choose a guided visit. The extra context is especially useful at the Maria Theresa Crypt, and checking the language before booking avoids a last-minute surprise.
4
Pair it by mood
If you want an imperial thread, pair the crypt with Hofburg Palace or Imperial Treasury. If you need lighter air afterward, walk to Albertina or toward Vienna State Opera so the day balances solemn rooms with open squares.
5
Use the lockers first
If you arrive with shopping bags, a suitcase, or a stroller, sort that out before you go downstairs. Lockers and storage keep the tight crypt route easier, so you can focus on sarcophagus details instead of steering around corners.
6
Keep the visit quiet
This is still a burial place, not just a museum. Use photos without flash, skip the selfie stick, and give other visitors space near Sisi and Franz Joseph; the room feels more powerful when everyone lets it breathe.
Ticket types at the Imperial Crypt
The choice is refreshingly simple at Imperial Crypt: standard entry for a short, self-paced stop, or a guided visit if you want the symbols and family links explained.
Entry tickets for a focused visit
Best for most visitors. The route is compact, and a standard ticket lets you move from the founder's crypt to the Franz Joseph group at your own pace. It is especially useful if you are fitting the crypt between Albertina and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Book now.
Guided visits for Habsburg context
Choose this if you want the metalwork, coats of arms, and family connections to make more sense than a row of famous names. Guided visits are most rewarding around the Maria Theresa Crypt and the simpler tomb of Joseph II; check the language and time before you select your slot. Book now.
Passes and discounts in the first district
Great when you already travel with a Vienna City Card, Vienna Pass, or Flexi Pass. Bring the right card or ID before you reach the counter on Tegetthoffstraße, because reduced rates depend on proof and cannot be combined freely. Book now.
History of the Imperial Crypt
Under a modest Capuchin church, imperial Europe becomes physical: pewter, bronze, wreaths, skulls, crowns, and names that once filled the map.
From Anna's foundation to a dynasty vault
The crypt begins with Empress Anna, whose 1617 foundation created a burial place beneath the monastery church. Over four centuries, that original founder's crypt expanded into ten rooms, so you are not just seeing tombs; you are walking through the Habsburg idea of memory.
Maria Theresa and imperial theater
The 1753 Maria Theresa Crypt is the grand set piece. Her double sarcophagus with Emperor Franz I Stephan is dramatic, sculptural, and full of dynastic confidence; nearby, the plain tomb of Joseph II feels almost like a deliberate correction.
Franz Joseph, Sisi, and the last Habsburgs
The emotional center for many visitors is the Franz Joseph Crypt, created in 1908 and now holding Franz Joseph I, Empress Elisabeth, and Crown Prince Rudolf. The story continues into the Crypt Chapel, where Empress Zita, Otto von Habsburg, and Regina bring the dynasty close to living memory.
Details to notice in the rooms
Look for the visual language of power and mortality: crowns held by skulls, eagles, coats of arms, and heavy metal drapery. The crypt is solemn, but it is not plain; it lets the Habsburgs speak in symbols long after the court itself has disappeared.
How to plan a short Imperial Crypt stop
The crypt rewards a calm pace, but it does not need to take over your day. Treat it as a concentrated first-district chapter between bigger Vienna sights.
A compact Old Town route
Start at St. Stephen's Cathedral, walk through the Old Town lanes to Neuer Markt, then continue toward Albertina or the opera side of the Ring. This keeps the crypt in context: church towers, imperial tombs, art galleries, and city life all within a few blocks.
Timing around narrow rooms
The rooms are not huge, and the mood depends on space. If you dislike crowding, avoid stacking the crypt into the busiest midday museum window, and leave enough time before 5:30 pm last admission to read the plaques without rushing.
Who gets the most from the visit
History-focused travelers get the richest payoff, but solo visitors and couples often appreciate the hush after busy Kärntner Straße. Families should keep the stop short and concrete: choose a few names, compare one ornate sarcophagus with one plain one, then move back into daylight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Imperial Crypt worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you are interested in Habsburg history, funerary art, or the quieter side of Vienna's first district. It is compact, atmospheric, and very different from palace rooms at Hofburg Palace.
Read more.How long do I need at the Imperial Crypt?
Plan about 45 to 60 minutes for a self-guided visit. A guided tour usually lasts about one hour, so add a little buffer if you are connecting it with Albertina or a timed performance near the opera.
Read more.Do I need to book tickets in advance?
You can usually buy admission at the ticket office, but booking ahead is useful on weekends, holidays, and rainy days when Old Town museum stops get busy. Groups of 10 or more need advance planning.
Read more.Are guided tours available?
Regular guided tours are offered and last about one hour. Check the current language and time before booking, because English and Italian availability can be seasonal while German tours are more frequent.
Read more.Is the Imperial Crypt wheelchair accessible?
Access is limited. An elevator goes down to the crypt rooms, but two steps remain at the Franz Joseph Crypt and the Crypt Chapel; if steps are not possible for you, those areas may only be visible from outside.
Read more.Can I take photos inside?
Yes, personal photos are allowed without flash. Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed, which also helps keep the narrow rooms calm.
Read more.Is the Imperial Crypt suitable for children?
It can work well for older children who enjoy history, symbols, or slightly spooky details. The mood is quiet and respectful, so keep the visit short and pair it with open space afterward if younger kids need a reset.
Read more.What should I combine with the Imperial Crypt nearby?
For Habsburg context, combine it with Imperial Treasury or Hofburg Palace. For an easy Old Town loop, walk from St. Stephen's Cathedral to Neuer Markt, then continue toward Albertina or Vienna State Opera.
Read more.General information
opening hours
Current hours are daily from 10 am to 6 pm, with last admission at 5:30 pm. Holiday exceptions apply on November 1 and 2, December 24 and 31, and January 1; recheck the current notice if you visit around those dates.
tickets
Prices checked April 22, 2026: adult admission is €15, reduced admission is €13, ages 7 to 18 pay €8, and children under 6 enter free. Family tickets start at €34, the Vienna City Card rate is €12, and Vienna Pass and Flexi Pass are accepted.
Guided-tour participation starts at €21 including admission, or as a surcharge on qualifying admission. Bring valid ID for reduced rates.
Guided-tour participation starts at €21 including admission, or as a surcharge on qualifying admission. Bring valid ID for reduced rates.
address
Imperial Crypt
Tegetthoffstraße 2
Neuer Markt
1010 Vienna
Austria
Tegetthoffstraße 2
Neuer Markt
1010 Vienna
Austria
photography and filming
Photos for personal use are allowed without flash. Tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited, and commercial use needs separate permission, so keep the camera quiet and the sarcophagus details will still photograph well in the low light.
website
Official site: https://www.kaisergruft.at
how to get there
The crypt sits in Vienna's Innere Stadt, between Kärntner Straße, Neuer Markt, and Albertinaplatz. From Wien Hauptbahnhof, take U1 to Karlsplatz and walk through the opera-side streets; from Westbahnhof or Praterstern, U3 or U1 to Stephansplatz keeps the approach simple.
Driving into the first district is rarely worth it for this short stop.
Driving into the first district is rarely worth it for this short stop.
accessibility
Access is limited but workable for many visitors. An elevator reaches the crypt rooms, and visitors using wheelchairs or walking aids can use it; two steps remain at the Franz Joseph Crypt and the Crypt Chapel, so those rooms may only be visible from outside if you cannot manage steps.
A disabled restroom is available, and certified service dogs are allowed.
A disabled restroom is available, and certified service dogs are allowed.
lockers
Lockers in several sizes are available during your visit, and suitcases can be stored. If you are pairing the crypt with Albertina or Vienna State Opera, store bulky bags before going downstairs so the narrow crypt route feels calmer.
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