The imperial palace of the Hofburg rose above the snow-shrouded courtyards of the Heldenplatz like a monumental fortress of Habsburg power. Inside the Great Ceremonial Hall—the legendary Zeremoniensaal—the splendor of Old World Europe was on full, dazzling display. Soaring twenty-four-karat gilded Corinthian columns marched along the perimeter, supporting a vaulted ceiling painted with imperial allegories of victory and divine right. Dozens of colossal Bohemian crystal chandeliers cast a sea of…
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