Who was Joseph Rothenmeyer?

In a nutshell – expect this here.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was buried in a common grave in Vienna, in 1971. Joseph Rothenmeyer was the gravedigger in charge of the burial and, ultimately, the only person who knew the exact location of the grave. This could be rather standard if it wasn’t for the fact that Mozart’s body was lost.

Where can you find this place?

The full story of gravedigger Joseph Rothenmeyer

Although possibly this is a name you have never heard of before, this is a name with certain relevance to the story of one of the World’s most beloved geniuses.

On 5th December 1791, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ( possibly you have heard of this one) died at his home in Vienna. He was only 35 years old.

Mozart was buried on the 7th December in a common grave, as it was the custom of the time, at the St. Marx Cemetery in Vienna, and here the story begins.

What do Rothenmeyer and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart have in common?

Common graves during those times referred to those belonging to citizens and not aristocrats (Mozart was not an aristocrat, however a relevant personality, due to this fact he was buried following the customs of the time, the false theory that he was buried in a common grave because he was poor and sick when he died was extended, although, not true…) The city had the right to dig common graves after ten years of burial. And due to this policy, Mozart’s body was lost … forever.

Currently, the Mozart column (in the picture) indicates the approximate location of the grave.
But who was this Joseph guy? Let’s find out.

Joseph Rothenmeyer was Mozart gravedigger and funny enough the only person who knew the exact location of the musical genius body, but who took his knowledge with him.

His grave is located just a few meters away from where Mozart’s grave is believed to have been, although, to this date (and in spite of many attempts), nobody has ever managed to find it.

It took me a while to find it when I visited the cemetery, but it was a great feeling to finally do so. History right on your face with names and facts. Additionally, the snow in the place made the experience … magical.

More Mozart Graves at St. Marx cemetery

Originally, there was another monument for Mozart other than the Mozart Column. In 1859 a memorial stone designed by Hanns Gasser was placed at the St. Marx cemetery, however (and to make things more complicated) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mozart’s death, this stone was moved to the ZentralFriedhof to join his fellow musicians (Beethoven, Brahms, and Schubert among others).

St. Marx cemetery is nowadays a park, a very beautiful spot by itself worth a visit, and although one of the most famous Austrians of all times is buried there, not very commonplace to visit since it is located between highways in an industrial area.

Forage for further odd places in Vienna

Dark places of Vienna

find the full list of Untold Dark Places here or choose from our favourites.

• 
  Antisemitism at the Jewish Square
• 
  The Rebel Duke Leopold Ferdinand of Austria in Berlin
• 
  Collision with an American Army Tank
• 
  A Bunch of Keys On The Floor