Archduke Johann (Erzherzog Johann)

Archduke Johann was the son of the Grand Duke Leopold of Tuscany and Maria Ludovica of Bourbon and was born on the 20th January, 1782 in Florence as the thirteenth of sixteen children.

During the late 1790s, the young Archduke Johann began his military training and participated in the Napoleonic Wars as a Field Marshal.
Austria had to cede Tyrol to Bavaria in 1805 and in 1809, the Archduke tried to support Andreas Hofer in his fight for the liberation of the Tyrol.

His brother, Emperor Franz II/I decided that Archduke Johann should not be involved in Tyrol and the Archduke was obliged to turn his attention to Styria.

In 1819, the Archduke met his future wife, Anna Plochl, at Lake Toplitz (Toplitzsee) in Upper Styria. Anna was the daughter of the postmaster of Aussee and was a commoner.
The Emperor initially refused to permit a marriage but after an endless wait of ten years, the couple received the long-awaited permission and married in 1829.

The Archduke was known for his efforts to improve social welfare and education in Styria.

Archduke Johann purchased a manor house in Stainz, where he also served as the first freely elected mayor from 1850 to 1859.

He was devoted to Styria and was fond of wearing the national dress.

Archduke Johann died on the 11th May, 1859 in Graz.

Archduke Johann

In 1819, the Archduke met his future wife, Anna Plochl, at Lake Toplitz (Toplitzsee) in Upper Styria.
Anna was the daughter of the postmaster of Aussee and was a commoner.

 

Archduke Johann (Schwarzensee 1819)

The Archduke met his future wife, Anna Plochl, at Lake Toplitz (Toplitzsee) in Upper Styria.

Anna Plochl

Archduke Johann