The Schlosskirche St. Michael Pforzheim in Germany seems like an unassuming place to have so many royal figures buried there. Though its exact building history is unclear, it dates from around the 13th century. It was heavily damaged during the air raid on Pforzheim in February 1945 but was restored before 1957.
From 1535 the church became the burial place for the Margraves and later Grand Dukes of Baden, with the last burial being that of Stéphanie de Beauharnais. Stéphanie’s father’s first cousin was Alexandre de Beauharnais, who in turn was the first husband of Empress Joséphine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Stéphanie became a Princesse Française and she made a dynastic alliance with Charles, the future Grand Duke of Baden.
While some of the tombs can be seen (albeit from a distance due to COVID-19 measures), Stéphanie lies buried in the southern crypt, which is not open to the public. The southern crypt is on the right side of the choir, while the northern crypt lies on the left side of the choir.
The church itself has many magnificent (funeral) monuments on the sides though many appeared to be unmarked.
The choir seemed to house the more significant graves but unfortunately, the area could not be accessed due to COVID-19 measures. These photos were taken from behind a glass panel.
Besides Stéphanie de Beauharnais, other female royal burials include Kunigunde of Brandenburg-Kulmbach, Countess Palatine Anna of Veldenz, Anna Marie of Baden-Durlach (daughter of Anna who died at the age of 8), Maria Cleopha of Baden-Durlach, Barbara of Württemberg (first wife of Margrave Frederick V), Eleonore of Solms-Laubach (second wife of Frederick V), Maria Elisabeth of Waldeck-Eisenberg (third wife of Frederick V), Anna Maria von Hohen-Geroldseck (fourth wife of Frederick V), Caroline Louise of Hesse-Darmstadt and Amalia of Nassau-Dietz.
This church is truly a magnificent piece of history and it would have been lovely to see them place more emphasis on the royal burials here.
Be the first to comment