Is it possible for a cemetery to embody an entire artistic movement? Here at the Romantikerfriedhof Maria Enzersdorf, it seems entirely plausible. This cemetery is no ordinary burial ground. It is a final resting place steeped in history and romance.
The Romantikerfriedhof Maria Enzersdorf was established in 1784. This coincided with Maria Enzersdorf becoming its own parish. Josef von Penkler then owned Herrschaft Liechtenstein. He had a cemetery chapel built in 1785.
But how did it get its name? The name Romantikerfriedhof comes from the many graves. These graves belong to members of the Viennese Romantic circle. Clemens Maria Hofbauer was a Redemptorist priest. He was later canonized. Hofbauer was also buried here.
The cemetery expanded in 1868. Since 1870, it has also held the graves of Franciscans. These Franciscans came from the Franciscan monastery in Maria Enzersdorf. A mortuary was built in 1961. There is also a war memorial. It commemorates soldiers who died in World War I.
Many important people are buried at the Romantikerfriedhof Maria Enzersdorf. Clemens Maria Hofbauer rests here. Zacharias Werner was a poet. Adam Müller von Nitterdorf was a philosopher. Hermann Armin von Kern was a painter. Friedrich August von Klinkowström was an officer and painter. Josef Anton von Pilat was Chancellor Metternich’s secretary. Carl Joseph Pratobevera was a lawyer. Adolf Pratobevera von Wiesborn was also a lawyer. Alexander von Hübner was a diplomat. Another Alexander von Hübner was a general. Otto Scheff was an Olympic swimming champion. He later became a politician. Theophil Antonicek was a musicologist.
Maximilian Hell’s grave was reused earlier. Today, only a memorial plaque remains.
The Romantikerfriedhof Maria Enzersdorf gained importance. This was due to the graves of the Viennese Romantic circle. Clemens Maria Hofbauer was central to this circle. He lived from 1751 to 1820. In 1785, Josef Penkler had the cemetery chapel built. Besides Clemens Maria Hofbauer, others were buried here. Zacharias Werner was a poet and preacher. Adam Müller was a writer. Friedrich von Klinkowström was an officer and painter. Josef Anton von Pilat was Chancellor Metternich’s secretary.
Hofbauer’s body was exhumed in 1862. It now rests in the Vienna church Maria am Gestade. A plaque on his empty grave explains this in Latin. A marble plaque commemorates Maximilian Hell. He was an astronomer. He founded the Vienna University Observatory. His grave no longer exists. It was reused in the 19th century.
The oldest part of the cemetery reached the chapel to the south. It was first expanded in 1868. It was expanded several times later. The Franciscans have had their burial site since 1870. It is on the east side of the chapel.
In the newer part, a large crucifix stands out. Hans Terzer carved it. He was a woodcarver from Maria Enzersdorf. There is also a memorial for the fallen. It commemorates those missing from World War I. The mortuary was built in 1961.
Around 1820, the Romantikerhaus became a meeting point. It was for the Romantic circle around Clemens Maria Hofbauer. Many members of this circle were buried here. This was around the original grave of the saint. His body was later moved to Maria am Gestade in Vienna.
As you wander through the Romantikerfriedhof Maria Enzersdorf, remember the stories. Think of the artists, thinkers, and leaders. They shaped Vienna’s cultural landscape. Their legacy lives on in this peaceful place.