subject: The Habsburg Legacy: A Viennese Experience [print this page] The fourth of July 2011 saw the passing of Otto von Habsburg, the last heir crown prince to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At ninety-eight years of age, he had lived through and directly witnessed some of the most dramatic events in history. The world he saw passed from an age empire through two world wars and a cold war. His view of the world was one that may have been privileged due to status, but it was measured in equal part by his wisdom and willingness to be a leader throughout these historic eras.
The Habsburg dynasty that was his legacy was nearly four hundred years old. The visible impact of Hapsburgs is evident in the buildings and street layout of every country and city the Empire administered. This was most evident, of course, in Vienna, the official seat of the monarchy throughout much of the empire's history.
A trip to Vienna can be an exciting reminder of the grandeur and lasting legacy of the Habsburg Empire. The grand stately buildings, the wide avenues and streets for parading illustrate the political and military power of the empire. Other sites of interest in Vienna that highlight the legacy of the Habsburgs include the Imperial Burial Vault where 149 members of the royal family are buried and the Vienna Imperial Palace, the heart of the empire's power. At the palace, one has to stop and see the Treasuries, where you can catch a glimpse of the 1,000-year old crown of the Holy Roman Emperor.
The hotels Vienna has to offer will please all types of budgets, so anyone interested in finding out more about the reach, influence, and riches of the Austro-Hungarian Empire can indulge their curiosity. It is also worth seeing the Hapsburg influence outside the capital, in the hunting lodges around the country and in Innsbruck. Once you settle into your hotel Innsbruck can provide you with even more Habsburgian history. Here on the other side of Austria the Habsburg dynasty is equally evident ad equally enthralling.
