Die Vermählung Eleonores von Österreich mit Guglielmo Gonzaga im Jahre 1561

The Marriage of Eleonora of Austria to Guglielmo Gonzaga in 1561 Research into the marriages of Habsburg archduchesses in the 16th century goes beyond the interpretative framework of the cultural-historical approach and is methodologically based on the anthropological concepts of „symbolic communication“. The authors of the present article take this concept as a starting point, focusing on the marriage of Archduchess Eleonore (1534-1594) and Guglielmo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua (1538-1587). The political interests of both dynasties can be recognised behind this marriage. Eleonore’s bridal journey, which began on 14 April 1561 in Inns­ bruck and ended twelve days later in Mantua, was framed by ceremonial entries into several cities, all of which followed a set pattern of staging the spectacle. all of which followed a set dramaturgy. Eleonore’s and Guglielmo’s entourages united in Porto and continued their journey to Mantua as far as the courtyard of the Palazzo Ducale. The wedding took place in the chapel in Castel San Giorgio on 27 April 1561. Pompous celebrations of symbolic significance took place every day in Mantua in honour of the newlyweds until 2 May 1561

Chapel · Honour · Politics · Ridiculous · Historical and Cultural Studies of Poland · Historical Influence and Diplomacy · Reformation and Early Modern Christianity