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All Austria Innsbruck The Empty Tomb of Maximilian I

The Empty Tomb of Maximilian I

This splendid tomb may look fantastic, but there's nothing in it...

Innsbruck, Austria

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Adam Kincaid
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On top of the empty tomb, Maximillian and his wife kneel in prayer.   AdamTKincaid / Atlas Obscura User
Many of the Black Men are considered masterpieces.   AdamTKincaid / Atlas Obscura User
The church is full of marble, gold, and other riches.   AdamTKincaid / Atlas Obscura User
The statues line the tomb like a mock funeral procession.   AdamTKincaid / Atlas Obscura User
  AdamTKincaid / Atlas Obscura User
  AdamTKincaid / Atlas Obscura User
  AdamTKincaid / Atlas Obscura User
Most of the Black Men represent real figures and rulers from history.   AdamTKincaid / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Upon the end of his life in 1519, Emperor Maximilian I was obsessed with death. In his last five years of life, whenever he traveled he carried his coffin with him and left grotesque instructions of mutilation to his body when he died and for it to be "publicly displayed to show the perishableness of all earthly glory."

He also wished to be buried in the castle chapel in Wiener Neustadt. He envisioned a grand tomb, surrounded by 28 life-size statues of of his ancestors, real and mythical, lining his grave in a mock funeral procession.

Work on the figures began in 1502, but by 1519, only 11 had been completed. Still, molding and carving continued, financed by Maximilian’s grandsons, Charles V and Ferdinand I. Over the next several decades, more black figures were added to the lineup, the last one completed in 1555.

As the progress grew, it became apparent that they would not fit into the the small, “temporary” space in Wiener Neustadt, so Ferdinand I began building a new tomb and monastery for his grandfather in Innsbruck. Completed in 1553, the gothic building was named the Hofkirche (Court Church), it was eventually fitted with a massive marble mausoleum and decorated in kingly riches.

The completed statues line the center, forged in black bronze. Now known as the “black men,” despite including several women, the noted individuals range from famous dukes and duchesses, to Holy Roman Emperors, Queens, and even mythical heroes such as King Arthur. Several are considered masterpieces of sculpture and metal work.

Unfortunately, they are cursed to watch over an empty grave. Despite the lavishness and splendor of the church, Maximillian’s remains were never brought to this sacred place and remain in their small, quaint original resting place 325 miles away.

Related Tags

Tombs Death

Know Before You Go

The entrance to the church is through the side visitor’s door. It is open Mon-Sat 9-5, and Sundays 12:30-5. Entrance is €7.00.

Community Contributors

Added By

AdamTKincaid

Edited By

Tuur510

  • Tuur510

Published

November 16, 2016

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofkirche,_Innsbruck
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_I,_Holy_Roman_Emperor
  • http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/innsbruck-hofkirche
  • http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1540-6563.1947.tb01116.x/abstract?systemMessage=Wiley+Online+Library+will+be+unavailable+on+Saturday+26th+November+2016+from+07%3A00-11%3A00+GMT+%2F+02%3A00-06%3A00+EST+%2F+15%3A00-19%3A00+SGT+for+essential+maintenance.++Apologies+for+the+inconvenience
The Empty Tomb of Maximilian I
2 Universitätsstraße
Innsbruck
Austria
47.268373, 11.395503
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Tyrolean Folk Art Museum

Innsbruck, Austria

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

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