Here's an interesting story.
Once upon a time in the 1700s, the empress Maria Theresa ruled the Hapsburg Empire. M.T. was quite an impressive, powerful lady, not least because she was the mother of 16 children. Of all her children, M.T. had a favorite daughter named Maria Christina, and she was the only one allowed to marry for love. Christina chose a guy from Saxony named Albert, and they lived happily ever after. Christina's sisters were strategically married into other important European families. Of course, arranged marriages were pretty common in royal families. In fact, one of Christina's sisters scored an especially adventageous marriage to the French king! Ah yes, unfortunately, it was the best of times and the worst of times in France. It was definitely the worst of times to be French royalty. Although this poor sister's story unhappily ended with the words, "Off with her head!" she did end up to be more famous than the happily-married Christina. Her name, of course, was Marie Antoinette.
Once upon a time in the 1700s, the empress Maria Theresa ruled the Hapsburg Empire. M.T. was quite an impressive, powerful lady, not least because she was the mother of 16 children. Of all her children, M.T. had a favorite daughter named Maria Christina, and she was the only one allowed to marry for love. Christina chose a guy from Saxony named Albert, and they lived happily ever after. Christina's sisters were strategically married into other important European families. Of course, arranged marriages were pretty common in royal families. In fact, one of Christina's sisters scored an especially adventageous marriage to the French king! Ah yes, unfortunately, it was the best of times and the worst of times in France. It was definitely the worst of times to be French royalty. Although this poor sister's story unhappily ended with the words, "Off with her head!" she did end up to be more famous than the happily-married Christina. Her name, of course, was Marie Antoinette.
Maria Christina's memorial in the Augustinerkirche
The Augustinerkirche (Augustinian Church) is where the Hapsburgs held Royal weddings, and also where they buried their hearts. Seriously. Their hearts are physically kept in the vault here. Their bodies are in a nearby imperial crypt, and their entrails are in the crypt of the Stephansdom. You know how the saying goes: don't put all your eggs in one basket, people.
above: looking toward the front altar of the Augustinerkirche
left: looking back toward the rear of the church; open door
Since we're kind of on the subject of churches, this is the Karlskirche (Charles Church). I especially like visiting this church because, well, it's quite pretty, but also because they are in the middle of a big restoration project in the dome. There's a big service elevator right in the middle of the sanctuary! That doesn't sound very nice, I know, but it's actually really cool because you can take the elevator up to some scaffolding at the top of the dome and be right up next to the painted ceiling. Plus, the elevator is glass, so on the way up, you can pretend that you're flyyyyying!
top: Karlskirche, view from under a tree.
bottom: A smiley Jesus, a row of angel heads, and a jolly old God The Father
...clearly, this must be heaven!
1 comment:
They're STILL renovating the Karlskirche!? They were working on it when we were there 4 years ago. I remember climbing scaffolding up to the top of the dome. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though, don't church renovations seem to be forever ongoing? Glad you're having a blast! Es
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