Württemberg Mausoleum, Stuttgart

The Württemberg Mausoleum in Stuttgart is an architectural and historical gem designed by Giovanni Salucci at the behest of King William I of Württemberg. Constructed between 1820 and 1824 to honor his second wife, Catherine Pavlovna of Russia, the Mausoleum also serves as the final resting place for William I, Catherine, and their daughter, Maria Friederike Charlotte. The Mausoleum's design draws inspiration from Andrea Palladio's Villa Capra "La Rotonda", exhibiting a circular structure with three porticos, a staircase of four persons, and a prominent free-standing dome illuminated by a glass skylight.

Initially laid down in May 1820, the Mausoleum's construction was swift and faced few hurdles, with interior works starting by 1821 and completion by 1824. For a significant period, from 1825 to 1899, it functioned as a Russian Orthodox church, with an annual service still held at Pentecost to this day. King William I, who passed away in 1864, was interred according to his wishes to be laid to rest beside his wife Catherine in the Mausoleum, following a nocturnal journey from Stuttgart.

The Mausoleum’s architectural significance is further highlighted by its early use of iron and glass in the dome, reflecting pioneering building techniques of the era. Its interiors are richly decorated in the Russian Orthodox tradition, segmented into a vestibule, nave, and chancel, featuring Corinthian columns, marble statues of the Four Evangelists (crafted by noted artists Johann Heinrich von Dannecker and Bertel Thorvaldsen), and a layout reminiscent of a Russian church.

The Württemberg Mausoleum not only serves as a poignant memorial to its royal patrons but also stands as a significant cultural and historical landmark, reflecting both the personal histories of its interred royals and broader architectural trends of the early 19th century.