Visitors can revisit the Badisch Mausoleum, situated within the Pheasant Garden of Karlsruhe, until the end of October
The grand-ducal mausoleum in Karlsruhe's Fasanengarten, a significant cultural monument, has been reopened to the public from April of this year until October. This 19th-century family tomb, bequeathed to the state of Baden-Württemberg by Max Margrave of Baden in 1964, houses the remains of several members of the House of Baden.
Completed in 1896, the mausoleum was built by Grand Duke Leopold I of Baden as a family tomb. Notable individuals buried there include Grand Duke Leopold I himself, his wife Princess Sophie of Sweden, and various other grand dukes, duchesses, and family members from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
One of the latest additions to the mausoleum is Princess Hilda of Nassau, the last Grand Duchess of Baden, who was laid to rest there in 1952. Interestingly, three of the 18 coffins in the crypt are empty.
The mausoleum's history is shrouded in mystery, with the cause of the death of 22-year-old Ludwig Wilhelm, the youngest son of Grand Duke Friedrich I and his wife Luise of Prussia, remaining unknown. Some suggest it was a lung inflammation, while others propose it was a duel over an unhappy love affair.
For those seeking a deeper understanding of the life stories of the German high nobility and the events surrounding the mausoleum, historian Michael Boerner offers a special tour called "Stone Silence and a Turbulent Life" with a view of the castle.
Recent repairs have been made to the leaky copper roof and the red sandstone facade of the grand-ducal mausoleum, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
For more information on opening times and special tours, visitors can send an email to [email protected]. Delays between clients and architects, as acknowledged by student of civil engineering Saba Menne, can be minimised by planning ahead and booking in advance.
The grand-ducal mausoleum stands as a testament to the prominence and historical significance of the House of Baden in Baden-Württemberg, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of its members and the era they inhabited.
Other visitors might be interested in learning about the home-and-garden lifestyle of the grand dukes and duchesses buried in the mausoleum. An insightful tour, titled "A Blossoming Past: Home and Garden at the Grand-Ducal Mausoleum," explores the floral arrangements and landscaping preferences of these historic figures.
