Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II

Graz, Austria

The Mausoleum of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II is located next to the Cathedral of Graz. Turquoise domes stand out against the blue sky above the Mausoleum and, together with the Dom and Katharinenkirche church, define one of the city’s magnificent views.

In 1614 Ferdinand commissioned his Italian court painter and architect to erect a mausoleum and an adjacent St. Catherine's Church next to today's Cathedral. It was to become one of the most important buildings of the early 17th century in Austria. The oval dome above the tomb chapel was the first of its kind built outside Italy. The façade of St. Catherine's is composed with rich small details and demonstrates the taste of time at the threshold of Renaissance and Baroque. As a gable statue, St. Catherine of Alexandria is looking to the former Jesuit college opposite, where in 1585 Graz University was founded. After all, St. Catherine is worshipped as the patron saint of universities.

In 1619 Ferdinand was elected emperor and left Graz for Vienna. Construction work at the Mausoleum came to a standstill. So in 1637 Ferdinand was laid to rest in a half-finished tomb. The vault is dominated by an impressive sarcophagus of red marble. It is the final resting place of Ferdinand's mother, Maria of Bavaria. Just a plain tablet on the wall indicates the grave of Emperor Ferdinand.

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Address

Burggasse 2a, Graz, Austria
See all sites in Graz

Details

Founded: 1614
Category: Cemeteries, mausoleums and burial places in Austria

More Information

www.graztourismus.at

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Daniel Hannih (2 years ago)
Beautiful paintings on the ceilings. Worth a short visit if you’re nearby!
Alexandra Skaromnik (2 years ago)
Very beautiful spot without admission fee.
Edgard G. (2 years ago)
Impressive and beautiful. One of the altars is particularly stunning with its different colors of marble columns.
Andrea Nori (2 years ago)
It is definitely one of the most beautiful monuments of the city that it is really worth visiting! It is really a pity that it has strict opening times. When I went there, I couldn't enter indeed!
Michalina Kosakowska (2 years ago)
Amazing and beautiful place. If you are in Graz You have to come here and see incredible architecture.
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