![]() ![]() Soon after the three women arrived, eagle-eyed courtiers could not help but notice how the young emperor’s attention was directed not at Helene but at her younger sister. She seemed a bit player in a drama reserved for Helene. She was so shy that she had trouble eating in the presence of the Austrians. She appeared very much a child, still dressing simply and wearing her hair in two braids. Shy and introverted, Sisi showed no interest in romance. A surprise engagementĪt first, only Helene and Ludovika were to make the journey that summer, but Sisi joined them. Following discussions between her mother and Sophie, Helene was invited to Bad Ischl, the town where the imperial family summered, with a view to securing an engagement in 1853. He looked to be a promising catch, and Ludovika set her sights on him.Īt age 15, Sisi was too young to be considered a potential mate for the emperor, and the family focused on her eldest sister, Helene, whose elegance, piety, and reserve would be essential qualities for an emperor’s consort. In 1848 their unmarried son, Franz Josef, became Austrian emperor at age 18. Sisi’s maternal aunt, Sophie, was married to the Archduke of Austria, Franz Karl. Her father, the duke, was a music-loving bon viveur with notably liberal views that filtered down to his children.Īs Sisi and her sisters grew, her mother Ludovika’s thoughts turned to their marriage. Her childhood was unusually informal for the time and for her status. Nicknamed Sisi from a young age, Elisabeth loved nature and spent her summers in the comfortable family mansion on the banks of Lake Starnberg south of Munich. If you decide to visit the castle, an hour away from the capital, don’t forget to use your Guide.Please be respectful of copyright. Franz Joseph and Elisabeth received the castle as a coronation gift, which soon became the favourite summer residence of the queen so beloved by Hungarians. If you spend a few hours here, following in the steps of Sissi, you will get a glimpse at life in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Grassalkovich Castle is the most well-known landmark in Gödöllő and one of the biggest Baroque castles in Hungary, offering a wide variety of attractions and programmes. However, the best way to learn about Sissi’s everyday life may be to leave Budapest behind for a bit. The queen herself gave consent in 1882 for the neighbourhood to adopt her name, and as the recently erected statue demonstrates, locals still have a special place in their hearts for the Queen of Hungary after 140 years. District 7, known as “Elisabethtown”, recently decided to commemorate its namesake with a statue. Just as in the heart of the city, at Madách tér. The queen’s favourite place to pray was the Loreto Chapel in Matthias Church, where later a statue was dedicated to her memory. Uniquely, this happened at the same time that Franz Joseph was crowned king. This is where the Bavarian Princess was crowned queen of Hungary on 8 June, 1867. If you have your Budapest Card, you can purchase your ticket at a 25% discount.Īnother remarkable church, Matthias Church, also played an important role in Sissi’s life. In addition to valuable liturgical artefacts and historical documents, you can also see embroidery by Queen Elisabeth herself. Stephen’s Basilica is a must-see location for every visitor in Budapest, but only a few know that the treasury of the impressive building is also worth a visit. Guests with a Budapest Card receive a 50% discount! The tour is available in English and French, but organizers must be notified in advance for a foreign language tour. This tour will walk you through the past and present of the Castle Garden Bazaar, a neo-Renaissance complex designed by Miklós Ybl. An experienced guide will usher you through the years of history and the royal gardens, which were loved dearly by Sissi. If you would like to know more about Sissi’s life, you can get some help at the Castle Garden Bazaar. Her love towards Hungarians was just as legendary as her life. The Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, arguably the most beautiful queen in the world, used to spend weeks at Buda Castle. It’s no wonder that we are often reminded of her in the capital, where several public spaces, a bridge and an entire district is named after the beloved queen of Hungary. Elisabeth, the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I, touched Hungarian hearts and left her mark on the history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. ![]()
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