Imperial Crypt Vaults - The Crypt Chapel

The Crypt Chapel

The Gruftkapelle was built, along with Franz Joseph’s Vault, in 1908. It is usually entered from the south doorway of Franz Joseph's Vault.

As one enters, to the right extending from the west wall:

• Archduchess Yolande (1923 – ), wife (1950) of Archduke Carl Ludwig₁₄₈, will occupy this space when she dies.

• Archduke Carl Ludwig (10 March 1918 – 11 December 2007, son of Emperor Karl I_x887 of Austria.

• Empress Zita of Bourbon-Parma (1892–1989) Wife (1911) of Emperor Karl I_x887 of Austria. The hearts of this couple are in the crypt of the Loretto Chapel of the Benedictine Monastery at Muri, Switzerland.

• A memorial tablet to "the first victims of the World War 1914 – 1918", Archduke Franz Ferdinand_x863 (1863–1914), son of Archduke Karl Ludwig,₁₃₈ and to Franz Ferdinand's wife Countess Sophie of Chotkova and Wognin_x868 (1868–1914). The couple are buried in the crypt of the castle at Artstetten.

Ahead, to the right of the altar along the south wall:

• Archduke Otto (1912–2011)), eldest son of Emperor Karl I of Austria_x887 and claimant to the thrones (renounced in 1961) and later (1979) elected by German voters to a seat in the European Parliament, where after many reelections he served longer than any other member.

to the left of the altar,

• Archduchess Regina (1925–2010), wife of Archduke Otto₁₅₀.

To the left, in front of the east wall:

• A statue of the Madonna, presented by Hungarian ladies in 1899 as a memorial to Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria.₁₄₃

In the far-right (southeast) corner:

• A memorial bust of (Blessed) Emperor Karl I of Austria_x887 (1887–1922), the last reigning Emperor, whose body is buried in the Nossa Senhora do Monte church in Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

The doorway to the right enters the east side of Franz’s Vault; the west doorway, to the left, is an exit stairway.