Capuchin Church in Brno (CZ)

If you read my articles regularly, you may have noticed the striking resemblance of this church to the church in the last article. This is no coincidence. Both churches belong to the monastic order of the Capuchins, and they built their churches according to the same design. The interior of the church also follows the Capuchin tradition: white walls without unnecessary decorations and relatively simple furnishings.

This church stands on the Capuchin Square in Brno.

However, this church became famous in another way. In its underground cellar is the crypt where members of the order and their supporters and benefactors were buried between 1656 and 1784.

The monks themselves are buried on the bare ground, with only a brick under their heads. The townspeople "deserve" at least a simple coffin.

However, the most famous person buried in the crypt is Baron Franz von der Trenck.

Franz von der Trenck was born in 1711. He joined the army at the age of sixteen and quickly gained a reputation as a skilled and fierce fighter. In other words, he was a madman. However, the Empress Maria Theresa recognized his talent and appointed him commander of a special forces, the Pandurs. In the service of Maria Theresa, Trenck found his own way. His name alone caused panic among the enemy. But he was still a madman. His unconventional combat methods and total disrespect for his superiors eventually got him into trouble and into prison. His imprisonment at Spielberg Castle may have been a formality, Trenck was free to move about, but the change in his lifestyle, no action, too much comfort, food and drink spelled his end. Franz Trenck died in 1749 at the age of 38 and was buried as a simple monk in the Capuchin crypt. Only in time were his remains placed in a more splendid coffin.