ABSTRACT
On 16 March 1563, Maximilian of Habsburg entered Vienna in a triumphal entry celebrating his recent election and coronation as King of the Romans, or Emperor- to-be the Holy Roman Empire. For the city of Vienna, this meant elevation to a new position as primary residence of the Empire, and for Austria confirmation of its role as the centre of imperial power of the house of Habsburg. The uniqueness lies both in the novelty of its design, which showed, for the first time in Vienna, triumphal arches in classical style, and in the stress that was put on the Austrian and Viennese heritage of the Habsburgs and of the imperial office. The planning of the entry into Vienna began in January 1563. Even if Ferdinand's entry was festive and had cost the city of Vienna a substantial amount of money, Maximilian's outshone it in every respect.
