Peeking through the trees, the Montlu00e9art Mausoleum stands as a testament to love and legacy. This is the final resting place of Moritz Fu00fcrst von Montlu00e9art and his wife, Wilhelmine Prinzessin Montlu00e9art. They were a couple who left an indelible mark on Vienna.
The Montlu00e9art family, originally French nobility, settled in Vienna in the early 19th century. Jules Max Thibault Graf Montlu00e9art married Maria Christine Prinzessin von Sachsen-Kurland in 1811. In 1824, he purchased a castle on the Gallitzinberg, now known as Wilhelminenberg.
Moritz, Jules’ son, was born in France in 1812. He served in the Austrian army and later ran a textile factory. In 1855, he married Wilhelmine Fitzgerald. Moritz gifted her the castle on the Gallitzinberg in 1866. Thereafter, it became unofficially known as Wilhelminenberg.
Moritz and Wilhelmine lived a secluded life at Wilhelminenberg. Moritz suffered from a nervous ailment. Wilhelmine was impaired by a spinal injury from 1879. After Moritz’s death in 1887, Wilhelmine had this mausoleum built. It was erected near the castle on the Savoyenstrau00dfe.
The Montlu00e9art Mausoleum is designed in the neogothic style. It has a sarcophagus shape and sits on an embankment. The mausoleum also features a gabled roof and a stone cross. Wilhelmine was buried here after her death in 1895.
Wilhelmine was a generous benefactor. In 1888, she donated 300,000 Kronen to Ottakring for a hospital. This contribution led to the establishment of the Wilhelminenspital. It stands as a lasting symbol of her generosity. She was known as the “Angel of Wilhelminenberg”.
The Montlu00e9art family’s story includes legal disputes. Moritz fought with the local communities over a footpath through his park. Dr. Cajetan Felder, the family’s legal advisor, documented these events.
Today, the Montlu00e9art Mausoleum remains a protected monument. It offers a glimpse into the lives of Moritz and Wilhelmine. It’s a reminder of their contributions to Vienna. Though some trees have been cut, it is now more visible than before. The Montlu00e9art Mausoleum is a hidden gem worth discovering.