The Austrian Archducal Hat

Austrian crown for 400 years

The 2016 annual exhibition is dedicated to the Austrian archducal hat, donated to Klosterneuburg Monastery exactly 400 years ago. On November 15, 1616 it is handed over to the monastery by Archduke Maximilian III. As the holy crown of the land, it is to be kept close to the relics of the country’s patron saint, Leopold. And so it has been until today.

Only when a new archduke was inaugurated could the hat be brought to Vienna for the act of hereditary homage. The archducal hat made its last official appearance in 1989 on the occasion of the requiem for Zita, the last Empress of Austria, at Klosterneuburg Monastery.

It is hard to find another object at Klosterneuburg Monastery where religious and political significance are so tightly interwoven. Or one of such material value – everything used is of the most exquisite quality: gold, enamel, precious stones, pearls, velvet and ermine.

The exhibition documents the history and significance of the archducal hat. Benefactor Maximilian III as well as 10 Hapsburg rulers, for whom the hat was escorted to Vienna for the act of hereditary homage, are introduced. There was only 1 woman among them: Archduchess Maria Theresa.

On large copperplate engravings the acts of hereditary homage - with typical Baroque ceremony - are especially well documented. All stations of the procession and the numerous honorary officials are recalled here.