The Furstengruft, or Princely Crypt in Siegen, was founded by John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen, whose grandfather was a younger brother of William I (the Silent), Prince of Orange. Nassau-Siegen was a principality within the Holy Roman Empire. John Maurice had been trying to decide between Cleves and Siegen for a burial place and finally settled on the grounds of what is now known as the Lower Palace in Siegen. Maurits Post designed the crypt, which was completed in 1670.
You enter the crypt through a double-leaf cast iron door with the crowned coat of arms of the House of Nassau-Siegen. Over time, the crypt became integrated into the building of the Lower Palace, and right above the crypt, there probably was a private chapel at some point.
Renovations took place in 1893 under the guidance of German Emperor Wilhelm II. During these renovations, most of the original slabs were replaced with marble slabs. In six cases, the remains could not be identified. The crypt and the Lower Palace both suffered extensive damage during the Second World War, and a rededication took place in 1952. After another renovation, the crypt is now open to the public on a regular basis.
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