Imperial Crypt

Since 1633 The Imperial Crypt in Vienna has been the principal place of entombment for the Habsburg dynasty, hereditary Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, and their descendents.

Related Topics:
1633 - Habsburg - Holy Roman Empire

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Imperial Crypt (in German: Kaisergruft but usually called the Kapuzinergruft) lies below the Capuchins' church (the Church of St. Mary of the Angels) and monastery founded in 1617 and dedicated in 1632. It is on the Neue Markt square, near the imperial Hofburg Palace.

Related Topics:
Crypt - Capuchins' - Neue Markt - Hofburg

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The bodies of 142 aristocrats, plus urns containing the hearts or cremated remains of four others, are deposited here (as of 2005).

Related Topics:
Aristocrats - 2005

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They include 12 Emperors and 18 Empresses. The most recent entombment was in 1989.

Related Topics:
Emperors - Empresses - 1989

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From other families there are 32 spouses, plus four others, who have found their resting place here. Everyone else in the Imperial Crypt was born with the Habsburgs-only title of Archduke or Archduchess.

Related Topics:
Archduke - Archduchess

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The visible 103 metal sarcophagi and 5 heart urns range in style from puritan plain to exuberant rococo. The Imperial Crypt is one of the top tourist attractions in Vienna.

Related Topics:
Sarcophagi - Vienna

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To this day, some of the dozen resident Capuchin friars continue their customary role as the guardians and caretakers of the crypt along with their other pastoral work in Vienna.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~