The Outer Burgtor

The Emperor’s private entrance

The outer castle gate has existed in its modern form since the time of Emperor Francis I of Austria (1768-1835). The original outer castle gate is erected in 1660 and is an important part of Vienna’s fortifications for many years before being blown up by Napoleon’s troops in 1809.

When the French withdraw Emperor Francis has it rebuilt. The foundation stone is laid in 1812, and it is reopened on October 16, 1824. This date is no coincidence; it is the 11th anniversary of the so-called Battle of Nations at Leipzig which seals the defeat of Napoleon’s troops.

The construction has 5 arched gateways and Doric entablature. In former times the middle gateway was normally kept closed and only used by the imperial carriage.

There are numerous dedications and inscriptions on the outer castle gate. The inscription on the Heldenplatz side quotes the Latin motto of Emperor Francis I : “Iustitia regnorum fundamentum” (“justice is the foundation of kingdoms”). The other Latin inscription on the Ringstraße side reads, “Franciscus I, Imperator Austriae” (“Francis I, Emperor of Austria”) together with the date 1824 in Roman numerals, the year in which the gate is completed.

On the Ringstraße side you can see stylised laurel wreaths, a reminder of a charity campaign for the loved ones of fallen soldiers in WW1. The 4 golden laurel wreaths on the middle section represent the most prominent donors, the top commanders from Austria-Hungary and its allies. Beneath we find the Latin inscription, “Laurum militibus lauro dignis” (“laurels to the laurel worthy soldiers”) together with the date 1916 (MCMXVI).

Inside the castle gate there are 3 memorials. The first is a heroes’ memorial erected for fallen WW1 soldiers, accessible via the steps on the narrow sides of the castle gate. After WW2 a crypt is dedicated to the fallen Austrian soldiers of the German Wehrmacht in the right wing. A room in the left wing commemorating the Austrian Resistance against National Socialism follows in 1965.