Archduke Maximilian of Austria-Este

An Italian Habsburg

Maximilian Joseph is the third son of Archduke Ferdinand and Maria Beatrix of Austria-Este and belongs to the Italian line of the Habsburgs, who reside in Milan. From the very beginning, he is destined for a military career and distinguishes himself several times during the Napoleonic Wars. As an expert in artillery, he then supervises fortification of Linz and in doing so gets to know the Clodi family. The Clodis are the owners of Ebenzweier Castle and eventually sell it to Archduke Maximilian.

Maximilian's move to Traunsee is of enormous importance for the town itself as he is a great benefactor and the support of Altmünster’s poor is particularly close to his heart. He also takes care of the local economy. When, in the course of the revolutions and political turmoil of 1848, sales of Viechtau's plate and spoon making products almost come to a standstill, the archduke buys up all the products and, when the economic situation improves, gives them to Neukirchen’s homeworkers.

Maximilian's generosity is also evident in the emergence of the independent municipality of Altmünster in the mid-19th century. Since they neither have funds nor buildings at their disposal, Maximilian offers to provide a room in his castle for the municipal chancellery. In addition, he buys a house in Ebenzweierstraße and officially hands it over to the municipality. The citizens even unanimously elect him to be mayor but he declines due to old age and other obligations.

Maximilian Joseph Habsburg of Austria-Este dies in 1863. The funeral takes place in Altmünster. Thousands of people join the funeral procession to pay their last respects. Because of his many good deeds, he goes down in history as one of the most popular Habsburgs.