1543
The Saliera, of rolled gold, was created by Cellini for Francis I of France between 1540 and 1543. From his descendant Charles IX it passed to Archduke Ferdinand II. The saltcellar shows an allegory of the Earth and the interplay of land and sea. Its right side has a man with a trident and a ship symbolizing water, while its left side has a woman representing the Earth. The base depicts the winds, the times of day and human activities.
The Habsburg dynasty: Here you can read potted biographies, examine portraits from seven centuries and dip into the historical contexts of past epochs.
Select a period in Habsburg history, from the beginnings of Habsburg rule in the Middle Ages to the collapse of the Monarchy during the First World War.
The map shows the territorial development of the Habsburg Monarchy as it evolved into a sprawling, geographically fragmented empire.
Monarchical rule was legitimized by descent. The classic form of representing these relationships is the genealogical table or family tree.
Collected themes - browse stories and anecdotes from the history of the Habsburg Monarchy.
Most viewed stories
Choose from various themes to access and explore the history of the Habsburg Monarchy, for example 'work', 'love' or 'death'.
Journey through the different epochs of Habsburg history from the Middle Ages to the First World War.
All the members of the Habsburg dynasty. Read biographical notes and explore the historical context.
