The First Grave of René Descartes – Stockholm, Sweden - Atlas Obscura
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The First Grave of René Descartes

Stockholm, Sweden

Inside this church, a monument honors the first burial site of the famed philosopher.  

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Adolf Fredriks kyrkan interior Xavixavir (Atlas Obscura User)
The First Grave of René Descartes Xavixavir (Atlas Obscura User)
Adolf Fredriks kyrkan. The First Grave of René Descartes Xavixavir (Atlas Obscura User)
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As a Catholic residing in a mostly Lutheran country, when René Descartes passed away in Sweden, it was difficult to find a place to bury him. 

Originally, his remains were interred at St. Olof’s Chapel, a small wooden church far from the city’s center. After 16 years, Descartes’s remains were retrieved by French government officials and taken back to France. There, his remains received a proper blessing and Catholic burial at the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

In 1774, Adolf Fredriks kyrka was finally complete, replacing St. Olof’s Chapel. King Gustav III, still a prince at the time, decided to honor the philosopher and the location of his internment while in Sweden. Inside the church, a massive lead memorial was erected on a pillar. It features the face of the philosopher, along with a globe that is symbolically having its veil removed by an angel.

Know Before You Go

The church is accessible during the day and photography is allowed.

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