b. The Imperial Hofburg.
The imperial Hofburg (Pl. II; B, 4), usually called the Burg,
residence of the Austrian princes since the 13th cent., is an ex-
tensive, irregular pile, dating from different periods. To the N.
is the Reichskanzlei-Palast, built in 1728 by Fischer von Erlach,
with an admirable curved Façade on the N.E., facing the Michae-
ler-Platz, erected in 1890-93 by Ferd. Kirschner from the old plans
of Fischer von Erlach. This façade, occupying part of the site of
the old Burg-Theater, is adorned with a handsome central dome,
flanked by two smaller domes. In niches below the latter are foun-
tain-groups in marble, symbolizing Naval Power, by R. Weyer
( 1895; to the E. or left), and Military Power, by Edm. Hellmer
( 1896; to the W. or right). In the centre of the vestibule, between
the Michaeler-Platz and the Innere Burghof or Franzens-Platz, is
a large rotunda, with the staircases to the Treasury (see below),
the Obersthofmeister - Amt, or office of the major-domo, and the
apartments of Emp. Francis Joseph (first floor).
At the handsome iron gateway on the Michaeler-Platz are four Hercules
groups: Fight with the Hydra, by Hoffmann von Aspernburg, Rescue of
Hesione, by Joh. Scherpe, Deliverance of Prometheus, by Jos. Lax, and Fight
with Cerberus, by A. P. Wagner. Over the entrance is an inscription (Fran-
ciscus Josephus I. vetus palatii opus a Carolo VI. inchoatum a Maria
Theresia et Josepho II. continuatum perfecit. A.D. MDCCCXCIII); above
which, in the attic story, is a group of Justice, Wisdom, and Strength,
by Joh. Benk. -- In the outer archways to the rotunda are two reliefs
designed by Kenner: on the right, Departure of the Ruler to War, on the
left, Victorious Return. In the niches of the narrow cross-passages are
four allegorical figures; beyond the rotunda are the mottoes of the various
princes who have taken part in erecting the Burg. -- At the entrances from
the Franzens - Platz and from the Schauflergasse (on the N.W.) are four
Hercules groups by Matthielli (Antæus, Busiris; Nemean Lion, Cretan Bull).
The Imperial Treasury (adm., p. 10), which since the opening of the
Imperial Museums (p. 44) contains only the family treasures of the house
of Hapsburg-Lorraine, occupies five finely panelled and adorned rooms
( 1747). Catalogue ( 1902), 60 h. -- Room I. Leather cases of the insignia
mentioned below. -- Room II. Case 1 (in the centre): Insignia of the Holy
Roman Empire, oncepreserved at Karlstein (p. 248), afterwards ( 1424-1796)
at Nuremberg: the crown of Charlemagne, the sceptre, orb, dalmatica, alb,
stole, girdle, coronation-robe, book of the Gospels; swords of Charlemagne
and of St. Mauritius. Wall-Case 2. Coronation-robes of the Norman kings
in Saracenic work (from Palermo), worn by the German emperors since
Henry VI. ( 1197). Case 3. Relics which were shown during the coronation
(fragment of the 'true cross', lance which pierced the Saviour's side, etc.).
Case 4. Heralds' vestments. Case 6. Jewels of the Oider of the Golden Fleece
( Toison d'Or), established in 1430. Case 7. Mantle of a knight of the Golden
Fleece. -- Room III. Wall-Case 8. Staff of the president of the imperial
chamber, presented by Maximilian to his privy-councillor and chancellor,
Frederick, Count of Hohenzollern, 1495. Case 10. Burgundian and Austrian
coronation and other swords. Case 12. Austrian Regalia; crown and orb
of the time of Rudolph II., sceptre made for Emp. Matthias in 1612; jewel
of the Golden Fleece composed of 150 brilliants with a pink diamond
(26 carats) in the centre. -- Room IV. Centre Case 13 contains the im-
perial Jewels. Celebrated 'Florentine' diamond, 133 1/5 carats in weight,
valued at 57,449l., once the property of Charles the Bold, said to have been
found by a peasant after the Battle of Morat and sold to a Bernese mer-
chant for 1 florin; it was subsequently purchased by the Grand-Duke of