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Imperial Armoury

The Imperial Armoury is one of the most diverse and best-documented collections of its kind. It brings together objects of the highest rank spanning more than a thousand years, with a particular focus on the 15th to 18th centuries.

Among its highlights are the Gothic field armour of Emperor Maximilian I by Lorenz Helmschmid, Konrad Seusenhofer‘s boy’s armour with steel skirt for the future Emperor Charles V, and the "alla romana" half-armour by Filippo Negroli for Archduke Ferdinand II of Tyrol. As early as 1601, an illustrated inventory of the "Armoury of Heroes" of Ambras Castle, one of the key collections of today‘s Imperial Armoury, was published in print. This Armamentarium Heroicum is considered the world's first museum catalogue.
 

A ‘Who’s Who’ of Europe - and beyond

The Imperial Armoury owes its extraordinary diversity to the unique vision of Archduke Ferdinand II of Tyrol (1529–1595). Through his collecting in the late sixteenth century, arms and armour associated with prominent men from all across Europe—and even from the Ottoman Empire—found their way into the so-called "Armoury of Heroes" at Ambras Castle.

Guided tour through collection highlights of the court hunt and armoury with Stefan Krause

Address

Imperial Armoury
Heldenplatz, 1010 Vienna
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Tickets

Adult 16€
Reduced admission 12€
Kids / Teens under 19 free

Tickets

No other European princely family was as well-connected by marriage as the Habsburgs. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that members of so many European dynasties from the 15th to the early 20th century are represented in the collection with pieces of arms and armour.

Imperial splendour

For centuries, members of the Habsburg dynasty commissioned their equipment for sporting, military, and ceremonial occasions from the finest armourers and weapon smiths.

Arms and armour intended for the emperors and their family had to be of the highest standard, of course. Like the Kunstkammer, the Imperial Armoury therefore holds beautifully crafted pieces of exceptional quality.

Field armour of the eagle set, 1547, Archduke Ferdinand II. Son of Ferdinand I of Habsburg Austria, sovereign of Tyrol

Discover the Imperial Armoury in our online collection

Themed albums

Gain insights into the Imperial Armoury through our themed albums

7 art objects
Best of: The courtly hunt
Hunting was not only a popular pastime among Europe's social elites, but also a key element of princely display.
Jagdspießeisen Hirschfänger Schnepper (Kugelarmbrust)
7 art objects
Early modern high-tech: Firearms
The Imperial Armoury holds one of the world's most significant collections of historic firearms.
Steinschlosspistole Scheibenbüchse mit Steinschloss und Monokel Handbüchse
9 art objects
Fun and games: The tournament
Despite their martial character, tournaments were a popular pastime among Europe's social elites. Participants could not only demonstrate their athletic prowess, but also showcase their wealth through their elaborate equipment.
Die Adlergarnitur Stechlanze Mechanisches Bruststück
7 art objects
Best of: Inscriptions on armoury objects
Some objects speak for themselves! This group features a selection of inscriptions found on the objects of the Imperial Armoury, ranging from short poems to the proud signature of a 91-year-old gunsmith...
Skanderbeg-Helm Scheibenbüchse mit Steinschloss und Monokel Schwert mit Kalenderklinge
9 art objects
East Meets West: Islamic arms and armour
The Imperial Armoury houses one of the most significant collections of Islamic arms and armour worldwide. Many of the pieces entered Habsburg property as diplomatic gifts or as spoils of war.
Stirnschildchen Sattel Pfeilköcher
5 art objects
Made in Vienna: Luxury products for the imperial court
Due to the patronage of the imperial court, Vienna emerged as an important artistic centre in the early modern period.
Steinschlossflinte Flinte Steinschlossbüchse mit Monokel
6 art objects
Rare and exotic materials in the armoury
Precious materials such as ivory, rock crystal, and coral were often used to decorate weapons. These pieces were intended less for practical use and more for display.
Dolch samt Scheide und kleinem Messer Korallensäbel, Kordelatsch, Coltelaggio, Malchus, Malchus (mit Scheide) Flügeltartsche mit dem Bild der
8 art objects
Boy’s armours
… are the epitome of luxury! If you can afford a costly suit of armour for a child that will quickly outgrow it, then money is not an issue for you.
Kinder-Faltenrockharnisch, Kinderharnisch, Kinderrüstung Kinderharnisch, Kinderrüstung Kinderharnisch

Skanderbeg Helmet & Skanderbeg Sword

The Skanderbeg objects are among the most popular pieces in the Imperial Armoury of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna. The helmet and sword have been associated with Gjergj Kastrioti, known as Skanderbeg (1405–1468), since the late 16th century. Over the course of the 20th century, a number of myths have developed around these objects. 

On display in the Neue Hofburg, access via the Weltmuseum Wien
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Skanderbeg helmet, probably 2nd half of the 15th century, attributed to Georg Castriota gen. attributed to Skanderbeg

Events & guided tours

All dates for guided tours and exhibition programme at a glance.

History of the collection

Imperial Arsenal of Vienna
A key component of the collection is the Imperial Arsenal of Vienna, recorded since the early 15th century. It housed the martial equipment of the Habsburg family and their retinue, primarily armour and ceremonial weapons. Due to innovations in warfare, particularly the rise of heavy artillery, armour lost its practical function. By the 17th century, it was increasingly displayed as a precious exhibit alongside functional military weapons.

The "Armoury of Heroes" of Ambras Castle
The unique "Armoury of Heroes" of Archduke Ferdinand II of Tyrol at Ambras Castle near Innsbruck forms the most fascinating part of today's Imperial Armoury. This collection is the work of an educated, art-loving, and open-minded prince. Wealthy and well-connected to European courts, he used his resources to realize his Atrium Heroicum, bringing together contemporary and historical arms and armour associated with famous princes and military leaders. As early as the 17th century, this collection was open to the public for a fee.

The Court Gun or Court Hunting Chamber
The objects from the Court Gun Chamber or Court Hunting Chamber form another major part of the collection. This collection was established under Emperor Ferdinand II (1587–1637). It includes high-quality pieces, especially firearms, representing every era up to the end of the monarchy in 1918. Among its highlights are the hunting and sporting weapons of the Baroque period, distinguished by their particularly elegant and richly decorated design.

The merging of collections in the 19th century
The Ambras collection of Archduke Ferdinand II was evacuated to Vienna in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. It was put on display in the Lower Belvedere Palace. At that time, the holdings of the imperial arsenal at Vienna and the Court Rifles or Court Hunting Chamber were housed in the Arsenal at Rennweg. In 1889, the weapons collection became the first collection to be opened in the newly-built Kunsthistorisches Museum on Burgring.

Imperial Armoury
In 1936, the "Vienna Arms Collection" (Wiener Waffensammlung) was opened at its current location in the Neue Hofburg. In 1990, it was renamed "Imperial Armoury" (Hofjagd- und Rüstkammer). 

Find out more about the scientific work of the Imperial Armoury.

Collection 

Shop the Imperial Armoury

Further exhibitions

Our exhibitions take you back to the rich history of our museum. Here, proven masterpieces meet newly explored themes - a look at art, culture and the past that continuously illuminates the collection.