Personalities
in the Franz Joseph Vault
In 1908/09, on the occasion of his 60th anniversary as emperor, Emperor Franz Joseph I. (N°142) commissioned the Croatian court architect Cajo Perisic to build two rooms east of the existing crypt complex. The Franz Joseph Vault consists of two adjoining rooms and can be reached from the Franz Vault via three steps since the addition of the New Vault in 1960. The staircase leading down from the monastery was covered with white tiles and electric lighting was installed in 1909.
The cool elegance of the interior design reflects the artistic style of the period, Secessionism. Croatian artist and court architect Cajo Perisic created a cool, sober space in keeping with the artistic sensibilities of his time. The sculptures are by Emanuel Pendl.
The delicate stucco reliefs on the ceiling depict the head of Mary surrounded by angels. Two further full-length angel reliefs flank the entrance door to the New Vault.
The unstructured walls are clad with polished white marble slabs. The base is dark. The upper edge is formed by a violet-gray marble band with square openings for the electric light. Between the openings there are also square cross mosaics.
The electric lighting is reinforced by six lamps. They replace the holders that once protruded from the walls, which depicted Capuchin hands. In addition, the room receives its subdued light from a rectangular window with blue frosted glass panes located in the center axis on the east wall. The original light fixtures (Capuchin hands) were later removed; a pedestal was added for the coffin of Emperor Franz Joseph.
There were originally four sarcophagi in the crypt. The sarcophagus of little Sophie Friederike, the first daughter of Emperor Franz Joseph and Elisabeths, who died on a trip to Hungary in 1857, was later transferred to one of the niches in the Ferdinand Crypt and bears the number 78B.
Builder/Donor: Emperor Franz Joseph I.
Architect: Cajo Perisic
Architectural style: Secessionism
Sarcophagi:
in the Franz Joseph Vault