
Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II of Austria was buried in tomb number 42 in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna, dressed in a field marshal's uniform and placed in an oak coffin. Joseph II was a ruler of the Habsburg monarchy, and his commitment to secularizing, liberalizing, and modernizing reforms resulted in significant opposition. He was a proponent of enlightened absolutism, and his motto was Everything for the people but nothing through the people.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name | Joseph II |
Birth Date | 13 March 1741 |
Death Date | 20 February 1790 |
Burial Place | Imperial Crypt, Vienna |
Coffin | Oak |
Burial Clothing | Field marshal's uniform |
What You'll Learn
Joseph II's tomb is in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna
Joseph II, the Holy Roman Emperor, was laid to rest in tomb number 42 in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna. The Imperial Crypt is located under the Capuchin Church and is dedicated to members of the former Austrian Habsburg dynasty. It is the final resting place of 150 Habsburgs, including 12 emperors and 19 empresses and queens.
Joseph II's tomb is a plain sarcophagus, in stark contrast to the magnificent double sarcophagus of his parents, Maria Theresa and Emperor Franz I. Stephan von Lothringen. Joseph II was a proponent of enlightened absolutism and his commitment to secularising, liberalising, and modernising reforms resulted in significant opposition. He was also known as "the people's emperor" and initiated many reforms, including a prohibition on embalming and elaborate burials. He introduced the use of lighter and cheaper copper into the Imperial Crypt, which was used there until the 19th century.
The Imperial Crypt is open to visitors every day, and visitors can also view the Habsburg Heart Crypt, which contains the hearts of 54 Habsburgs in silver urns. The Loreto Chapel, which houses the Heart Crypt, is open to the public once a week after the Sunday mass.
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He was buried in an oak coffin wearing a field marshal's uniform
Joseph II of Austria, also known as Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, was buried in an oak coffin wearing a field marshal's uniform. He was laid to rest in tomb number 42 in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna, now known as the Kapuzinergruft. This burial site is the resting place of the majority of the Habsburgs.
Joseph II was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 until his death in 1790, co-ruling with his mother, Maria Theresa, from 1765 to 1780, and then ruling solely from 1780 to 1790. He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Emperor Francis I, and was born in Vienna, Austria, on March 13, 1741. He died in the same city on February 20, 1790, from tuberculosis.
Joseph II was a proponent of enlightened absolutism, and his commitment to secularizing, liberalizing, and modernizing reforms resulted in significant opposition. He introduced a plethora of revolutionary changes and reforms during his rule. He built schools and hospitals and dissolved around 700 monasteries that were not engaged in charitable activities such as teaching or hospital work.
The emperor's burial attire and coffin are symbolic of his legacy as a reformer and his contributions to the modernization of the Austrian empire. The field marshal's uniform represents his role as the supreme commander of the army, reflecting his dedication to his country's military and defense. The oak coffin, a traditional symbol of strength and longevity, may also allude to the enduring impact of his reforms, which aimed to bring progress and improvement to the empire.
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He died of tuberculosis
Joseph II of Austria, born Josephus Benedictus Joannes Antonius Michael Adamus, died of tuberculosis on February 20, 1790, at the age of 48. He was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 until his death in 1790, and the sole ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1780.
Joseph II was a proponent of enlightened absolutism, and his commitment to secularizing, liberalizing, and modernizing reforms resulted in significant opposition. His reforms focused on administration, centralization, and bureaucratization, with the ulterior motive of bringing his lands and their population under state control. He also introduced a lot of revolutionary changes, building schools and hospitals, and dissolving 700 monasteries of contemplative orders that did not carry out charitable activities.
Joseph's foreign policy was reckless and isolated Austria, and rebellions had broken out in protest against his reforms in the Austrian Netherlands and Hungary by 1790. His health was ruined, and he returned to Vienna, where he died of tuberculosis.
Joseph is buried in tomb number 42 in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna. He is entombed in a field marshal's uniform and was placed in an oak coffin per his wishes to not have a separate burial.
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He was the Holy Roman Emperor and ruler of the Habsburg monarchy
Joseph II of Austria (13 March 1741 – 20 February 1790) was the Holy Roman Emperor and ruler of the Habsburg monarchy. He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis I, and the brother of Leopold II, Marie Antoinette, Maria Carolina of Austria, and Maria Amalia, Duchess of Parma.
Joseph was a proponent of enlightened absolutism, and his commitment to secularizing, liberalizing, and modernizing reforms resulted in significant opposition. He is known for his attempts to implement a programme of reform, with the motto 'Everything for the people but nothing through the people'. His reforms focused on administration, centralization, and bureaucratization, with the ulterior motive of bringing his lands and their population under state control. He also introduced a more tolerant attitude towards Protestants and members of the Jewish faith, though this was intended to be economically beneficial.
In foreign policy, Joseph had some successes, such as when he met with King Frederick the Great of Prussia to plan the partition of Poland, with each neighbour taking a part of the country. He also annexed Bukovina to his country in a treaty with Turkey. However, his reckless foreign policy also badly isolated Austria.
Joseph's reforms and policies did not succeed in bringing about profound and enduring changes in the Habsburg multinational empire or its administration. By 1790, rebellions had broken out in protest against his reforms in the Austrian Netherlands and Hungary, and he was forced to withdraw most of his reforms. Joseph died of tuberculosis on 20 February 1790 and is buried in tomb number 42 in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna.
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He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa
Joseph II of Austria was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Emperor Francis I. He was born on March 13, 1741, in Vienna, Austria, and died on February 20, 1790, at the age of 48. He is buried in tomb number 42 in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna, alongside other members of the Habsburg dynasty.
Joseph II had a significant impact on the history of Central Europe, both during his lifetime and through the legacy of his reforms. As the first ruler of the Austrian dominions of the union of the Houses of Habsburg and Lorraine, he is known for his commitment to secularizing, liberalizing, and modernizing reforms. These reforms were often at odds with the Catholic Church, earning him a reputation as an enemy of the Church in some Catholic circles.
Joseph's relationship with his mother, Maria Theresa, was complex. They often argued, and he is said to have constantly offended her with his words and actions. Despite this, as co-ruler with his mother from 1765 to 1780, he achieved some foreign policy successes. For example, during a civil war in Poland, he met with King Frederick the Great of Prussia to plan the partition of the country, with each neighbour taking a part of the territory.
Joseph II's reign as the sole ruler of the Habsburg monarchy, from 1780 until his death in 1790, was marked by his passion for reform and innovation. He introduced revolutionary changes, including the construction of schools and hospitals, and the dissolution of contemplative monasteries that did not engage in charitable activities. He also founded a unified system for training priests and reduced the number of religious holidays. Joseph's impatience and lack of tact sometimes hindered his reforms, and his reckless foreign policy isolated Austria.
Overall, Joseph II of Austria, as the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa, left a lasting impact on the region through his attempts to reform and modernize the empire. His legacy is remembered as one of the great "liberators of humanity" and he is ranked as one of the three great Enlightenment monarchs.
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