Metternich took a prominent part in the Congress of Vienna and dominated European politics from 1814 to 1848. He acted as the restorer of the 'Old Regime' and the reconstruction of Europe after the Napoleonic wars. To safeguard the balance of power Metternich formed a 'Holy Alliance' between the monarchies of Austria, Russia, Prussia and France.

After the fall of the imperial government in 1848, he fled to England, and in 1851 retired to his castle of Johannesberg on the Rhine.