The imperial crown on the dome

When construction of Charles VI’s monastic residence in Klosterneuburg begins in 1730, work proceeds at a rapid pace. By 1735 2 of a total of 9 planned domes are complete. One of them is the dome over the roof of the Sala terrena with the splendid sculpted representation of the Imperial Crown.

This has been the crown of kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire since the Middle Ages and next to the Imperial Cross, Sword and Holy Lance, it is the most important item of the imperial jewels. At coronations it is presented, along with the sceptre and orb, to the new king.

But since the imperial jewels, and in particular the Imperial Crown, are kept in Nürenberg and only released for coronations, many rulers have private crowns made to wear for official occasions such as the Reichstag.