THE HAPSBURG CURSE

The Hapsburg Curse

For the Hapsburgs—at one time one of Europe’s most powerful and influential families—the curse that afflicted their family literally came from the birds. Specifically, ravens. The curse allegedly started the moment their ancestors slaughtered all the ravens that resided in their home castle. After that, supernatural ravens called Turnfalken started to appear before or during the demise of family members, including, allegedly, Marie Antoinette’s execution.

Another curse that hounded the Hapsburgs was put in place by Countess Karolyi against Francis Joseph, a Hapsburg and ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. She uttered the curse after the 18-year-old emperor had his son executed after joining a failed Hungarian rebellion. From then on, Francis Joseph’s reign was beset with numerous tragedies. Although he survived an assassination attempt, his wife wasn’t as lucky. His only son committed suicide along with his lover inside a hunting lodge.

Still other members of his family were either killed, injured, or went insane. Perhaps the climax of the infamous Hapsburg curse happened with the assassination of his nephew, Archduke Franz Ferdinand—which later set the stage for World War I and the eventual end of the Hapsburgs.