TextSearch

Final Document of the Congress of Vienna 1815 - Österreichische UNESCO-Kommission Contrast mode Zoom text Highlight links Skip to main content Home Publications Contact Deutsch English Accessibility Instagram Facebook +43 1 526 13 01 [email protected] About us Austrian Commission for UNESCO UNESCO Contact Education Education 2030 UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network Global Citizenship Education Youth Representatives Science UNESCO Chairs Man and the Biosphere For Women in Science Geoscience and hydrological sciences Culture Diversity of cultural expressions World Heritage Intangible cultural heritage Protecting cultural property Communication Documentary heritage Press freedom Press Search function Search Documentary heritage Memory of the World   Home Communication Documentary heritage Memory of the World in Austria Final Document of the Congress of Vienna 1815 Photo: © Austrian National Library Final Document of the Congress of Vienna 1815 Austrian State Archives, inscription 1997 At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the Congress of Vienna redefined the map of Europe and established a stable balance between the political powers, which shaped Europe for more than half a century. The Final Act of the Congress records this historically significant event. The Congress of Vienna was held in Vienna from 1814-1815 and brought together a myriad of European monarchs and rulers. This meant that Vienna was once the centre of international diplomatic relations. The later Austrian Chancellor Klemens Wenzel Lothar von Metternich played a vital role in this process. The Congress dealt with the regulation of international shipping traffic, the abolition of slavery and Swiss neutrality, among other questions. The most important result of the Congress of Vienna was the establishment of a new political order in Europe as well as the creation of the German Confederation. The Final Act, dated 9 June 1815, compiles over one hundred articles and records the Congress’ advisements and results. The Austrian copy, which was presented as one of the eight copies belonging to the signing powers (Austria, France, Great Britain, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, Spain and Sweden), is of particular interest from an aesthetics perspective. It contains 220 pages that are elegantly bound in a red velvet cover and made official by the gold seals in the form of the coat of arms for each of the eight signing powers. © Andy Wenzel/BKA © Andy Wenzel/BKA Global significance The Congress of Vienna had a substantial influence on world history and its impact extended far beyond Europe. It served as a meeting point for major European powers who deliberated on international issues and together formed a new Europe. The political system implemented by the Congress of Vienna defined Europe’s political landscape for more than 50 years and laid the foundation for a long period of peace. The Final Act records this historic event, the lasting consequences of which can still be seen today in exceptional ways. Further links Final document of the Congress of Vienna Österreichisches Staatsarchiv – Archivinformationssystem Zum Weltdokumentenerberegister / Memory of the World-Register KEY FIGURES Inscribed in 1997 Stored in the Austrian State Archives More than 100 articles on the implementation of a political system in Europe Dating: 1815 GALLERY © Andy Wenzel/BKA: Data and facts Documentary heritage The UNESCO programme Memory of the World in Austria Memory of Austria Documentary heritage in the digital age © 2024 Contact · Imprint · Data protection instagram facebook [email protected] · +43 1 526 13 01