Hofkammer


The Hofkammer was the central financial institution of the Habsburg monarchy, responsible for the income and expenditure of the court and the state. It was in operation from 1527 to 1848.

History

Already under Emperor Maximilian I, the financial administration of the Habsburg hereditary lands and the Holy Roman Empire was centralized in a single court or treasury.
This institution was further reformed under Emperor Ferdinand I, [Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand I] and became independent of the Aulic Council in 1527. The regional Lower Austrian Chamber in Vienna, the Upper Austrian Chamber in Innsbruck, the Bohemian Chamber in Prague, and the Hungarian Chamber in Pozsony all fell under the Central Court Chamber. After 1558, this was also the case for the Silesian Chamber in Breslau.
The Hofkammer was housed in the Imperial Chancellery wing of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.
Under Empress Maria Theresa, the Hofkammer was elevated to the central financial and economic authority of the Habsburg Monarchy, making it the highest authority not only for finance, but also for trade, economics, mining, and transport until the 19th century. It was not until 1848 that these powers were divided among newly created ministries and the Hofkammer was abolished.
The Hofkammer is the predecessor of the current Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance.

Presidents of the Hofkammer

The authority was initially headed by a Supreme Councillor, later known as President.