The Haunting of the White Lady

In the heart of the Austrian capital Vienna, on Freyung square, stands the Schottenkirche (Scottish Church), whose construction began shortly after Duke Henry II Jasomirgott founded the Scottish monastery in Vienna in 1155. An old legend surrounds this Scottish monastery, telling of a white lady who is said to wander there and herald death. This white woman is the noblewoman Berta von Rosenberg, who is buried in the Scottish monastery. She was born around 1429 as the daughter of an important Bohemian noble family. According to historical sources, she was the daughter of Ulrich II von Rosenberg, who married her against her will to Baron Johann von Liechtenstein from Styria in 1449. Her marriage was very unhappy, as she was mentally and physically abused by her husband, according to private correspondence. After the death of her unloved husband, she celebrated a lavish party dressed entirely in white. She then moved in with her brother. However, as punishment for her disgraceful behavior after the death of her spouse, she was condemned to eternal restlessness. She died in 1476 and found her final resting place in the Schottenkloster monastery. Since then, she is said to appear there whenever misfortune or danger is imminent. When she appears, the corridors of the Schottenkloster monastery light up at midnight and a woman in a flowing white robe wanders around. Shortly thereafter, a monk or abbot dies in the monastery. Such is the legend of the White Lady of Schottenkloster. I hope you enjoy my photos of the impressive Schottenkirche in Vienna.