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Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria

Laxenburg castles, 21 Aug 1858 – Mayerling, 30 Jan 1889

10 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 21 Aug 1858

    Born in Laxenburg castles

  2. 1883–1889

    Member of the House of Lords (Austria)

  3. 30 Jan 1889

    Dies in Mayerling, aged 30

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

During his lifetime

He lived through 4 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Laxenburg castles.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1850s · Rudolf, is born in Laxenburg castles

In the news1858

New silver florin introduced in 1858

In 1858, a new silver florin became the official currency in Austria, replacing the previous Convention currency.

What people wore

Work aprons and reversible sheepskin coats

Men frequently wore a blue apron called a Firta for daily work, while craftsmen wore green aprons; for demanding barn work, they utilized sackcloth aprons and wooden clogs. Additionally, men often wore sheepskin coats that could be reversed, with the wool inside during winter and outside during summer.

Getting around

Trains replaced slower horse-drawn coaches

Taking the train from Vienna to Graz significantly improved mobility, taking nine hours by rail compared to twenty-nine hours by stagecoach.

The Crimean War. Britain, France and the Ottomans fought Russia in Crimea; Florence Nightingale’s nurses changed how the wounded were cared for.In Europe · 1853–1856

The Crimean War. Britain, France and the Ottomans fought Russia in Crimea; Florence Nightingale’s nurses changed how the wounded were cared for.

William Simpson, artist (1823-1899) E[dmond]. Morin, lithographer (1824 - 1882), · public domain

In the news1854

First mountain railway opens in 1854

In 1854, the first mountain railway in the world was opened, connecting Vienna to the Semmering pass.

Music

Evolution of dance and instrumentation

Dances like the polka, waltz, mazurka, and schottische were increasingly integrated into the repertoire alongside traditional dances, with brass ensembles often replacing older string groups in many performance settings. Although these styles evolved, traditional folk dances remained deeply anchored in daily life and festivals.

Daily life

Improved Cooking with the Sparherd Stove

From the mid-19th century, the introduction of the masonry "Sparherd" stove with a chimney, water container, and oven allowed for expanded cooking possibilities. Before this, cooking was simpler, and many households lacked these modern improvements.