Charles II of Austria

Archduke Charles II of Inner Austria (Vienna June 3, 1540 – July 10, 1590 in Graz) was an Archduke of Austria and Regent of Inner Austria from the House of Habsburg from 1564.

Related Topics:
Vienna - June 3 - 1540 - July 10 - 1590 - Graz - Archduke - Austria - Inner Austria - 1564

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was the second oldest son of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor and Anne of Bohemia (1503–1547), daughter of King Ladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary and his wife Anne de Foix. .

Related Topics:
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor - 1503 - 1547 - Ladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary - Anne de Foix

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Unlike his brother Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor, Charles was a religious Catholic and promoted the Counterreformation, e.g. by inviting the Jesuits to his realm. However, in 1572, he had make significant concessions to the Inner Austrian Estates in the Religious Pacifications of Graz, and 1576 and the Libellum of Bruck. In practice, this resulted in tolerance towards Protestantism.

Related Topics:
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor - Catholic - Counterreformation - Jesuits - 1572 - 1576 - Bruck - Protestantism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As the Inner Austrian line had to bear the major burden of the wars against the Turks, the fortress of Karlstadt/Karlovac in Croatia was founded.

Related Topics:
Turks - Karlstadt/Karlovac - Croatia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Charles is also remembered as a benefactor of the arts and sciences. In particular, the composer Orlando di Lasso was one of his protogees. In 1585, he founded the University of Graz, which is named Karl-Franzens-Universität after him.

Related Topics:
Orlando di Lasso - 1585 - University of Graz

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His mausoleum in Seckau, in which also other members of the Habsburg family are buried, is one of the most important edifices of the early baroque in the South-Eastern Alps. It was built from 1587 onwards by Alessandro de Verda and completed by Sebastiano Carlone until 1612.

Related Topics:
Mausoleum - Seckau - Habsburg - Baroque - Alps - 1587 - Alessandro de Verda - Sebastiano Carlone - 1612

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~