Swiss yard (Schweizerhof)
The centre of the most old part of Hofburga – Alte Burga (Alte Burg) – is the Swiss yard – Shveytserkhof (Schweizerhof). Here the Swiss guard which was personal imperial protection in due time settled down. By order of Ferdinand I the lock in style the Renaissance with the Swiss gate (Schweizertor) (1547-1552) has been constructed.
From here the external ladder brings into the Imperial chapel (Burgkapelle) which style can be carried to the Gothic generally. It has been constructed at emperor Friedrich II in 1447-1449 гг, and in the XVII-XVI centuries it have added with baroque elements; to an internal place have returned a Gothic look only in 1802. On Sundays in a chapel the Vienna chorus of boys in what sang Schubert and Haydn acts. The chorus at the initiative of Maksimilian I in 1498 has been organised.
Entrance in an imperial chapel (Burgkapelle)
Through an entrance which is in the Swiss yard under a ladder of the Imperial chapel, it is possible to get to the Secular and spiritual treasury (Schatzkammer), whose collection contains invaluable exhibits: regalia of the Sacred Roman Empire and Austro-Hungarian empire; signs of the Award of the Golden Fleece; relics of barons Burgundian; cradle of the king of Rome, offspring Napoleon; gold a font with a jug (1571), used at a baptism of imperial kids; and the main relic – a crown of the Sacred Roman Empire.
Swiss gate (Schweizertor)
Swiss yard (Schweizerhof)