What happened during the summer holidays in Bad Ischl? Why did a scandal occur there? What was celebrated on August 18, 1853? What happened afterwards?
At the Viennese Court, they were looking for a suitable bride for the now 23-year-old Emperor Franz Joseph. His mother, Archduchess Sophie, saw potential marriage candidates in the daughters of her sister Maria Ludovika from Bavaria.
They were considering the eldest daughter Helene, known as “Néné”. At the arranged family meeting in Bad Ischl in the summer of 1853, a “scandal” occurred. Franz Joseph fell in love with her younger sister Elisabeth, who was only 15 years old at the time, and asked for her hand in marriage.
Franz Joseph only had eyes for Sisi, and the young girl didn’t know what was happening to her. “I I love the Emperor so much! If only he weren’t an Emperor!” Elisabeth is said to have exclaimed when she learned of Franz Joseph’s intention to marry her. (quoted from Brigitte Hamann, Elisabeth – Empress Against Her Will, 8th Edition p. 32)
The “child” Sisi was completely unprepared for her upcoming role. Within nine months, the beautiful princess was prepared for her future role as Empress. She had to undergo a “crash course” in marriage and Viennese court etiquette.
The Bridal Procession – Traveling on the Beautiful Blue Danube to Vienna
Ship “Austria” during a brief stopover of the bridal journey in Linz, April 1854
Now 16 years old, Sisi left Possenhofen Castle on April 20, 1854. The journey began by carriage, first towards Munich. In Straubing, she boarded the paddle steamer to Passau.
There she was received by the Austrian delegation, and the journey continued on the ship “Austria” along the Danube to Linz. Here she was greeted by Emperor Franz Joseph for the first time. Crowds cheered for her along the Danube.
She traveled further by ship without Franz Joseph to be officially received later by him and her future mother-in-law Sophie in Nußdorf in Vienna. A cheering crowd awaited the beautiful but very shy Empress there.
Sisi was not used to being the center of attention, and the rigid Viennese protocol was new to her. From Nußdorf harbor, they went directly to Schönbrunn by court carriage. The lavish wedding was celebrated in the Augustinian Church on April 24, 1854.
At 16 years into the harbor of marriage – wedding in the Augustinian church
Wedding ceremony in the Augustinian Church on April 24, 1854
It was the fairy tale wedding of the 19th century. The journey from Schönbrunn to the Hofburg and the Augustinian Church was a demonstration of the people’s affection. Everyone admired the graceful but childishly shy bride.
She looked beautiful in her dream of white. The dress was made of heavy, pure silk, richly interwoven with silver and gold. Over it, a gold-embroidered mantle that ended in a long train.
She whispered her ‘Yes’ very softly after walking past rows of princes, bishops, diplomats, and ministers. The young Sisi is said to have cried afterwards from exhaustion and overwhelm.
Elisabeth later on marriage: “Marriage is an absurd institution. At fifteen, one is sold and takes an oath that one doesn’t understand, and then regrets it for 30 years or longer and cannot dissolve it.” quoted from: Hamann, Brigitte: Elisabeth. Empress Against Her Will, Munich 1981, p. 85
Tip from Sisi’s Amazing Journey: Visit the elegant Augustinian Church, Sisi’s wedding church. It is located just a few minutes’ walk from Sisi’s Amazing Journey, allowing you to experience this important moment in Elisabeth’s life.
