Karl Ferdinand
*29.07.1818 Vienna - †20.11.1874 Groß-Seelowitz, Czech Republic
Archduke of Austria
The second son of Archduke Karl Ludwig and Henriette of Nassau-Weilburg commanded a brigade in Italy and, as a division commander, fought against the uprising in Prague in 1848. From 1859, he was commanding general in Moravia and Silesia.
Karl Ferdinand married Elisabeth, daughter of Palatine Josef Anton, in 1854, with whom he had five children.
He was the grandfather of King Alfonso XIII of Spain and died of liver disease in Groß-Seelowitz.
The sarcophagus
The inscription on his sarcophagus reads:
CAROLVS FERDINANDVS CAROLI LVDOVICI ET HENRICAE A. A. FILIVS A. A. EQVITVM ET LEGIONIS PRAEFECTVS NATVS VINDOBONAE DIE XXIX. JVL MDCCCXVIII DENATVS IN CASTRO SELOWITZ DIE XX. NOV. MDCCCLXXIV. H. S. E.
Here lies Karl Ferdinand, son of Archduke Karl Ludwig and Henriette; Archduke of Austria, squadron and regiment commander, born in Vienna on 29 July 1818, died at Seelowitz Castle on 20 November 1874.