Page 77 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

INNER C I ty  75

c Kapuzinerkirche b Kärntner Strasse
and Kaisergruft Map 2 B5, C4, C5. % Stephansplatz,
Karlsplatz. @ 1A, 2A, 3A.
Neuer Markt. Map 2 C5. Tel 51 26 853.
% Stephansplatz, Karlsplatz. @ 2A. v 1, 2, 62, 71, D.
Open 10am–6pm daily. &
Kärntner Strasse was once
the main road running south
The Capuchin church stands across town to Kärnten
at the southwestern corner of (Carinthia), hence its name.
Neuer Markt, formerly a cereal Today, the view down the
and flour market. In 1617, street is blocked at its Ring end
Anna of Tyrol, wife of Emperor by the silhouette of the opera
Matthias, founded a crypt in its house, and at the Stock-im-
vaults in which the Habsburg Eisen-Platz end by the modern
family members were laid to rest. Haas-Haus, which reflects the
Today, the Kaisergruft (imperial spires of the Stephansdom. At
crypt) contains the earthly Grand stairway in the Winterpalais Stock-im-Eisen-Platz there is a
remains of 138 family members. des Prinzen Eugen wooden block into which every
The only Habsburg monarchs passing apprentice ironworker
not present are Ferdinand II, v Winterpalais des used to drive a nail, in the
whose vast tomb-mausoleum Prinzen Eugen hope that this would ensure
is in Graz, and Charles I, the last his safe return.
Austrian emperor who died in Himmelpfortgasse 8. Map 2 C5. In the mid-section, at No. 37,
exile and is buried on Madeira. Tel 51 433. % Stephansplatz. @ 2A. stands the Malteserkirche
v 2. Open 10am–6pm daily.
The only non-Habsburg buried (Church of the Knights of Malta).
here is Maria Theresa’s governess, The Maltese Knights came to
Countess Caroline Fuchs. The palace was commissioned in Vienna in the early 13th century,
The double sarcophagus of 1694, by Prince Eugene of Savoy, and the church remains under
Maria Theresa and her husband one of the most brilliant military their jurisdiction to this day.
Franz Stephan I, the work of commanders of his day, who The church walls display the
Balthasar Ferdinand Moll, is entrusted the task to Johann coats of arms of the Grand
worth looking at. It bears Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. Masters of the Maltese Order.
the statues of the imperial It was subsequently Malteserkirche is one of
couple and four figures extended by Johann Lukas the few older buildings in the
with the crowns of Austria, von Hildebrandt. Its central street. When Kärntner Strasse
Hungary, Bohemia and part includes the original was widened during the
Jerusalem (the Habsburgs magnificent staircase, 19th century, to transform it
were also the titular adorned with sculp- into the old town’s main artery,
Kings of Jerusalem). tures by Giovanni most of the buildings were
The most poignant Giuliani. The central demolished.
tomb is the crypt of portal reliefs depict Today, the pedestrianized
Franz Joseph I, where Tomb of Karl VI, by the figure of Aeneas street is one of Vienna’s most
the long-lived monarch Balthasar Moll carrying his father fashionable and expensive
rests, flanked by separate out of the burning shopping streets. Here, you can
tombs containing the remains city of Troy, and the hero Hercules shop at one of many exclusive
of his wife Elisabeth, assassi nated who is slaying a monster. boutiques, eat and drink in
by an Italian anarchist, and their From 1848 until 2006, the busy restaurants, bars and
only son Crown Prince Rudolf, palace was home to the Ministry outdoor cafés, and listen to
who committed suicide in 1889. of Finance. After extensive street musicians or just watch
The last person to be buried in renovation, the palace today others stroll by.
the imperial crypt was Archduke houses the Baroque
Otto, son of Charles I, the last collection of the Belvedere
Emperor of Austria, who was (see pp102–3).
interred in 1989. Nearby, at Seilerstätte
It is worth noting that, on No. 30, is the Haus der
their death, the Habsburgs Musik (House of Music). This
were dismembered; their is a museum dedicated to
hearts are kept in silver urns the Wiener Philharmoniker
in Augustinerkirche (see p74), (Vienna Philharmonic), it
their entrails are held in the also houses a high-tech
catacombs of Stephansdom exhibi tion on the nature
(see pp62–3), and only what of sound, which allows
remained is in the Kaisergruft visitors to see and feel as
(imperial crypt). well as hear music. Frauenhuber, a café near Kärntner Strasse

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