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The Founders' Vault formerly also known as the Angels' Vault or Matthias Vault, is the oldest part of the Capuchin Crypt. Originally small and intended only for the two coffins of the founding couple, it is located opposite the entrance to today's crypt complex and directly beneath the Imperial Chapel in the southeast of the building complex.
It is a small, barrel-vaulted, windowless room dating from the late Renaissance. Today, a Baroque grille separates this room from the Leopold Vault.
The Former name: Engelsgruft
The name Engelsgruft (angel vault) dates back to the time when children were also buried in this part of the crypt: four children of Emperor Ferdinands III. (N°27), seven children of Leopolds I. (N°37) , and an unknown son of the Palatinate Elector Johann Wilhelm. These children's sarcophagi were later reburied in the wall niches (arcosolia) in the east wall of the Leopold Vault.
In 1639, Emperor Ferdinand III had his two sons Philipp (N°12) and Maximilian (N°11), who had died within a week of each other, buried alongside Anna (N°1) and Matthias (N°2)In 1646, their mother Empress Maria Anna (N°22) and the newborn Princess Maria followed, as did his second wife Empress Maria Leopoldina (N°21)in 1649, in 1653, a young daughter from his third marriage, Theresia Maria (N°14), and in 1654, his firstborn son, the Roman King Ferdinand IV. (N°29):
„Nachmahlen Wir die Begräbnus halber, furguet angesehn das dieselbe zu Wien bey den Kapuzinern in der Statt, eben in der Jennigen Krufft und Capelln, wo Kayser Matthias und seine Gemahlin sel. Ged. wie auch unsere beede Prinzen ligen, am füeglichisten beschehen möchte.“
„With regard to the funeral, it would be most appropriate for it to take place in Vienna at the Capuchin monastery in the city, in the very crypt and chapel where Emperor Matthias and his wife, may they rest in peace, as well as our two princes lie.“
When Ferdinand III was at the Capuchin Church for the Feast of St. Anthony in 1656, he told the Father Guardian that it was his wish to be laid to rest here one day, if a ”Oertlein für sein Ruhebettlein“ - “little place for his resting bed” could be found. The crypt was to be enlarged for this purpose. The emperor died in the spring of the following year. His coffin had to be placed across the others – ”weillen sonst khein Ort mehr darin wahr“ - “because there was no more room in it” and the new room had not yet been built.
Die Sarcophagus
Today, as originally intended, the Angel Vault contains only the simple, chest-like sarcophagi of Empress Anna and Emperor Matthias. Visitors are not permitted to enter. The two Renaissance coffins, standing side by side, can only be viewed from the Leopold Vault through a magnificent early Baroque grille.
Die Gründergruft im Überblick
Builder/Donor: Empress Anna
Architectural: Late Renaissance
Sarcophagi:
- N°1 Anna (1585-1618), Empress, wife of Matthias
- N°2 Matthias (1557-1619), Emperor
Personalities
in the Founders Vault