Habsburg Palatine Crypt

The Habsburg Palatine Crypt is the hidden treasure of the Palace of Buda Castle, which survived the destruction of Budapest during World War II and also demolition during the communist era. It can still be seen in its original, 120-year-old beauty. The crypt was founded by Archduke Joseph Anton of Habsburg–Lorraine. He was the palatine (governor) of the Kingdom of Hungary for more than 50 years between 1796 and 1847 while Hungary was the part of the great Habsburg Empire. One of the most influential palatines in Hungarian history, Archduke Joseph successfully mediated between the Vienna imperial court and the Hungarian nobility, always with an eye on the country's interests. He played a prominent role in the cultural and economic development of the capital: the neoclassical buildings constructed on his initiative, along with the landscaping of the City Park of Budapest and Margaret Island, continue to define the city's modern appearance. He supported the construction of the first permanent bridge on the Danube, the Chain Bridge and his donations helped the establishment of the most significant national institutions. No wonder he earned the title of "the most Hungarian of the Habsburgs." He was the first Habsburg to actually reside with his family in the royal palace in Buda for a longer period of time. His children were raised in Hungarian spirit and taught the Hungarian language. As one of his greatest personal successes, he managed to persuade the Austrian court to allow him to bury his beloved deceased not in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna, but in Buda Castle. During the tour, you can admire the crypt's impressive interior decoration, marble sarcophagi and statues. We will tell you about the great tomb robbery in 1973 and why Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of Russia, the first wife of Palatine Joseph, was only buried in the crypt for 20 years. The crypt is still  visited by members of the Habsburg family to this day.