The Southern Imperial Chapel

Through the chapels, the Habsburg imperial family secured a lasting monument: neither imperial chapel was intended as a burial place and not a single family member was laid to rest here. With their rich design, they symbolise the power of the House of Habsburg.

Listen to the Audio Guide

Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I

In addition to the three chancel clerestory windows, Roman-German Emperor Maximilian I († 1519) donated the two central axial chapels, which were not consecrated until 1572 many years after his death.

  • Emperor Maximilain I. as depicted by Albrecht Dürer in 1519 on a portrait in the Kunsthistorsiches Museum Vienna.

    Emperor Maximilain I. as depicted by Albrecht Dürer in 1519 on a portrait in the Kunsthistorsiches Museum Vienna.

    The grilles

    The grilles of both Imperial Chapels are nearly identical: They bear the year of consecration at the top and the imperial coat of arms, carried by griffins, above the entrance.

    Stained-Glass Windows

    The Southern Imperial Chapel is dedicated to Maximilian’s grandchildren, who can be seen in the windows.

    • Accompanied by the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire displaying the crowned double-headed eagle, Emperor Charles V († 1558) is depicted kneeling on the left in front of the Apostle James, the patron saint of Spain.

      Accompanied by the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire displaying the crowned double-headed eagle, Emperor Charles V († 1558) is depicted kneeling on the left in front of the Apostle James, the patron saint of Spain.

    • In the dextral window, King Ferdinand I of Hungary († 1564), later crowned Emperor, is portrayed before St Leopold, patron saint of Austria.

      In the dextral window, King Ferdinand I of Hungary († 1564), later crowned Emperor, is portrayed before St Leopold, patron saint of Austria.

      Renaissance Epitaphs

      Among the later furnishings of the chapel are two Renaissance epitaphs on the right wall.

      • The lower memorial plaque was donated by Barbara von Lichtenfels for her two husbands Wilhelm Stürzel († 1559) and Christoph von Bernhausen († 1563). The resurrected Christ in a gloriole triumphs over death. The familys' coats of arms are shown next to the inscription, which is crowned by a skull.

        The lower memorial plaque was donated by Barbara von Lichtenfels for her two husbands Wilhelm Stürzel († 1559) and Christoph von Bernhausen († 1563). The resurrected Christ in a gloriole triumphs over death. The familys' coats of arms are shown next to the inscription, which is crowned by a skull.

      • The lavishly decorated epitaph commemorates the cathedral priest, university professor and later vicar general of the Basel cathedral chapter, Georg Hänlin († 1612). The Renaissance frame, richly decorated with architectural elements and gilded ornaments, frames two paintings. The large painting depicts Christ's descent into hell, the smaller one the resurrection. Hänlin's tomb slab is located on the left-hand window wall.

        The lavishly decorated epitaph commemorates the cathedral priest, university professor and later vicar general of the Basel cathedral chapter, Georg Hänlin († 1612). The Renaissance frame, richly decorated with architectural elements and gilded ornaments, frames two paintings. The large painting depicts Christ's descent into hell, the smaller one the resurrection. Hänlin's tomb slab is located on the left-hand window wall.

        The Neo-Gothic altarpiece

        Hermann von Vicari

        The centrally positioned statue of the Archbishop of Freiburg Hermann von Vicari († 1868, interred in the north aisle), created by Freiburg sculptor Julius Seitz, was not moved into this chapel until 1936.