Triumphal Arch

The Triumphal Arch is a renowned landmark in Innsbruck, the capital city of Tyrol in Austria. It stands at the southern end of Maria-Theresien-Strasse, the main street that runs through the historic center of the city. The arch was built in 1765 to commemorate a royal wedding and a royal death that occurred in the same month.

A Wedding and a Funeral

The triumphal arch was constructed to celebrate the wedding of Archduke Leopold, the second son of Empress Maria Theresa and Franz Stephan von Lothringen, to the Spanish princess Maria Ludovica. The marriage took place on August 5, 1765, in Innsbruck, as part of a series of political alliances between the Habsburgs and the Bourbons. The wedding was a grand affair, with festivities lasting for several days and involving fireworks, music, dances, and processions.

However, the joy of the occasion was soon overshadowed by tragedy. On August 18, 1765, Leopold’s father Franz Stephan suddenly died of a stroke in Innsbruck, while playing a game of chess. He was 56 years old and had been the Holy Roman Emperor since 1745. His death was a shock to his family and the empire, and plunged the city into mourning. As a result, the triumphal arch had to incorporate elements of grief and sorrow, in addition to those of celebration and happiness.

A Stone Monument

The triumphal arch was designed by the court architect Nikolaus von Pacassi, who had also worked on the renovation of the Hofburg Palace in Innsbruck. He decided to use stone instead of wood, which was the common material for temporary structures of this kind. He reused the blocks from the Höttinger breccia, a local stone that had been used for the suburban gate at the exit of the old town on today’s Maria-Theresien-Strasse. The gate had been demolished to make way for the arch.

The construction of the arch was supervised by two local artists, Constantin Walter and Johann Baptist Hagenauer. They were responsible for carving the reliefs and sculptures that adorned the arch. In 1774, Balthasar Ferdinand Moll, a sculptor from Sterzing, replaced the stucco reliefs created by Hagenauer with marble ones, giving the arch a more durable and elegant appearance.

A Dual Message

The triumphal arch has two sides, each with a different theme and mood. The south side, facing the old town, depicts the wedding of Leopold and Maria Ludovica, while the north side, facing the Brenner Pass, represents the death of Franz Stephan.

On the south side, the arch is crowned by the Austrian Archduke’s Hat with the Order of the Golden Fleece, a symbol of the Habsburg dynasty. Below it, there is a relief showing the Bohemian crown of Wenceslas with the Hungarian Order of St. Stephen, donated by Maria Theresa to her son Leopold as a wedding gift. On the lower part of the arch, there are two oval medallions with profile portraits of the bride and groom, surrounded by garlands of flowers and fruits.

On the north side, the arch is topped by a funeral urn with a flame, a symbol of the emperor’s eternal memory. Below it, there is a relief showing a representation of Empress Maria Theresa and Franz Stephan with laurel wreath and portrait medallions of the two. On the lower part of the arch, there are two oval medallions with portraits of Duchess Caroline of Lorraine and Duke Charles of Lorraine, the brother of Franz Stephan, who succeeded him as the Holy Roman Emperor.

The arch also has four columns, each with a statue of a female figure representing one of the four virtues: Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, and Temperance. These statues were added in 1778 by Moll, who also created the statues of the four seasons on the corners of the arch.

A Historical Legacy

The triumphal arch is one of the most prominent and distinctive landmarks in Innsbruck. It is a testimony to the history and culture of the city and the region, as well as to the personal and political events that shaped the lives of the Habsburg rulers. It is a monument that expresses both joy and sorrow, both celebration and commemoration, both life and death. It is a symbol of the triumphs and tragedies of the 18th century.

Innsbruck, Austria