Franz & Sophia
MEMORIAL ROOM FRANZ AND SOPHIE
Archduke Franc Ferdinand, the future successor of the Austro-Hungarian throne and nephew of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Francis Joseph, was not particularly popular due to his political ideas about the monarchy reform. To prevent the inevitable breakup of the empire, he intended to give the Slavs equal rights as Germans and Hungarians. Her also planned to federalize the empire into 16 states. Serbia particularly feared the reform. It was afraid that satisfied Slavs would not seek annexation to Serbia, as the Serbian government had hoped.
Whilst he publicly fought for authority, Franz Ferdinand's private life was peaceful. He was happily married to Sophie Chottek. However, from the beginning their love was tragic. Young Franz fell madly in love with Sophie an aristocratic, although not royal lady. She was born into a Czech family and worked as lady at the court when Franz Ferdinand first saw her. And so a scandal broke out.
Emperor Franz Joseph with great difficulty allowed the marriage to Sophie but when he finally did allow it he imposed certain humiliating conditions. Sophie could not become queen, nor be seen in public next to her husband whilst he acted on behalf of the Empire. Their children would not be entitled to the throne. At royal receptions she was only allowed to enter after all other ladies, even the youngest had arrived. She was treated as lower class citizen but despite the snubs, the couple ware idyllically happy and had three children.
The trip to Sarajevo had a special significance for Franc Ferdinand. Although it coincided with military maneuvers, more than anything, romantic Franz wanted to celebrate his 14th wedding anniversary with his wife Sophie. Since he was going in his military and not imperial roll, it was agreed that his wife can accompany him. It was a rare opportunity for Sophie to be treated as his equal and to ride alongside him in the same car. This was Franz Ferdinand’s gift for the wedding anniversary.
Archduke Franc Ferdinand and his wife Sophie became the main target of the secret revolutionary organization called the Black Hand. They were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip on June the 28th 1914 only a few hundred meters away from the City Hall. This assassination ignited the spark that started the First World War and Franz & Sophie became the 1st of more than 15 million victims.