Castrum doloris

Decorative material for funerals
Castrum doloris of Queen Catherine Opalińska

The castrum doloris (Latin for castle of grief) was a structure and set of decorations which sheltered and accompanied the catafalque or bier in a funeral. It signified the prestige and power of the deceased, and was common in Poland-Lithuania and other parts of Europe.[1][2]

Initially a simple wooden structure with a fabric baldachin, it gradually transformed in the 17th century and 18th century to a more elaborate form. Sometimes it would be supplemented by candles, coats of arms, epitaphs and allegorical pictures, in which case it was also called a chapelle ardente. Sigismund II Augustus was one of the first Polish rulers to have a castrum doloris in the 1570s.[1][2]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Castrum doloris.

References

  1. ^ a b Koutny-Jones, Aleksandra (17 September 2015). Visual Cultures of Death in Central Europe: Contemplation and Commemoration in Early Modern Poland-Lithuania. Brill Publishers. ISBN 978-90-04-30525-0.
  2. ^ a b "Castrum doloris". Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online. Brill Publishers. 2015. doi:10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_029030.
Authority control databases: National Edit this at Wikidata
  • Germany


  • v
  • t
  • e
Stub icon

This death-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

  • v
  • t
  • e