Why did Sisi spend a lonely honeymoon? Where is Laxenburg Palace located? Sisi’s relationship with her mother-in-law
The newlyweds spent their honeymoon at Laxenburg Palace near Vienna. This was in keeping with the family’s annual tradition of spending their spring break there.
But the young couple’s happiness was diplomatic and political crisis. Emperor Franz Joseph was absent from the Hofburg. He traveled daily from Laxenburg to Vienna to conduct his government business.
The young Sisi remained alone in Laxenburg and cried her eyes out. She began to write poems to express her sadness and loneliness. She was constantly monitored by her mother-in-law, who was very keen to ensure that the inexperienced young empress learned and adhered to the strict court ceremonial .
Elisabeth was still very insecure in her new role as empress, and the court assigned to her consisted of strangers. She was also in a completely unfamiliar environment. The teenager longed for her family and the familiar surroundings of Possenhofen.
Archduchess Sophie – the “evil” mother-in-law?
Archduchess Sophie (1805-1872)
Archduchess Sophie was Elisabeth’s aunt and now also her mother-in-law. She was the all-dominant figure and was often called “the only man at the Viennese court”. Initially, she tried with good intentions to prepare her insecure daughter-in-law for her future role as empress.
She must not have been very clever about it, because the first conflicts arose between the two. Elisabeth enjoyed going on horseback rides in the surrounding area on her own, much to the displeasure of her mother-in-law.
Spontaneous rides without an appropriate escort posed a security risk for the empress on the one hand and did not comply with court protocol on the other. Sophie is said to have scolded Sisi like a schoolchild. She thought Sisi was easily malleable, which seemed to be the case at first when Sisi was still dutifully fulfilling her duties. The tide would later turn, as Sisi simply fled the Viennese court.
Sophie was primarily concerned with observing etiquette . She was constantly worried about the continuation of the dynasty. She took on the duties of representation, just as she had always been accustomed to. She was also an important substitute mother for her grandchildren when Sisi went on extended trips to recuperate.
Franz Joseph was constantly torn between his mother and his wife and was not really a great support for Sisi. However, the relationship between the two women is said to have been far better than is reported today.
Sophie withdrew from politics after the death of her two eldest sons – Emperor Maximilian was shot by summary execution in Mexico in 1867 . The Compromise with Hungary, also in 1867, did not correspond to her neo-absolutist ideals. She died in 1872 at the age of 67 and, like all Habsburgs, is buried in the Capuchin Crypt.
Tip from Sisi’s Amazing Journey: How about a trip to Laxenburg? The former castle is only about half an hour away from the center of Vienna . Strolling through the huge castle park and visiting Franzensburg Castle is really worthwhile.
