By Alexander York
This world famous picture (alongside many similar others) needs no further explanations. Image credit – https://www.slideshare.net/
It would be frivolous for me to open a debate here on my tiny blog about World War I, and I would not want to. But in this case, it may be of some value to point out a minor matter that I am sure is of interest. Apart from the Great War itself, what else followed on from Sarajevo directly after the 28th June 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria (1863-1914) and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Hohenberg (1868-1914)? What, for instance, became of the elaborate Viennese 28/32 Double-Phaeton car in which they were being driven through central Sarajevo on that particular day? The open-top vehicle, built in 1910, has its place too in the earth-shattering event that has been documented over and over ever since in countless chronicles, period photographs, films and artistic portrayals alike.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and Sophie, the Duchess of Hohenberg
For my take in this matter, it began when I was in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian capital some 20 years ago. Obviously I knew of this historical moment and was keen to find out more. And like others who also go to 30 Zelenih Beretki street for the same reason, to actually stand by the plaque commemorating the two killings that sparked one of the greatest catastrophes of the 20th century, I found much to think about.
See https://maps.app.goo.gl/ToK4XATwofXzATt77 
Sarajevo in Post Millennial times – plus the all important inscription carved in stone
The original 1910 28/32 Double-Phaeton car and AIII-118 registration plate – plus bullet hole
There, unexpectedly but in clear view was the actual centrepiece car in which those two high-profile but unprotected aristocrats were being conveyed through the streets of Sarajevo on that fateful day. Remarkably, it still remains in one piece, with an additional bullet hole. After the shots that shook the world, the luxurious vehicle, registration A111-118, was transported back to Austria and eventually went on public display, as seen today. My next thought was “how come this has ended up here?”, because while it’s understandable that the Archduke and Duchess would be buried in their homeland, I would have thought that the vehicle and anything else relating to the crime scene would have been abandoned or destroyed long ago.
The assassinators and original weapons
But this was not so, and finally it does make sense, as imperial Vienna was the main central European capital during former Empire times and it would have been imperative to memorialise this piece of history by physical means as well as by documentary. Remarkably, in closing this matter the retrieval of the evidence by the Austrians included the handguns used by Bosnian Serb activist Gavrilo Princip and his accomplices, and these can be seen in the confines of a glass cabinet. Also on display is Franz Ferdinand’s elegant blue jacket, adorned with medals and still in relatively good condition despite the fatal bullet that went through the collar.
Finally, to round off everything, the royal couple themselves are at rest at Artstetten Castle in Southern Austria. As for the Leopold Lojka, the chauffeur driver, he could be an interesting subject for another time.
November 10, 2024
TagsAustrian Empire, Bosnia and Hercegovina, europe, Franz Ferdinand, Military Museum Vienna, Political assassination, Sarajevo, Travel, Vienna, World War I
See https://www.schloss-artstetten.at/en/home-en/
All Photographs unless otherwise mentioned – Alex York
Source: Budapest & Beyond Blog
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