Unveiling of the Emperor's Portrait at Castle Tyrol

Meran, 18 August. When, in the autumn of 1849, Her Imperial Highness the Serene Archduchess Sophie graced the town of Meran with a two-day visit during Her journey through Tyrol and also visited the ancestral imperial Castle Tyrol, the burgomaster of Meran presented Her with the request to intercede with His Majesty the Emperor, praying that His Majesty might deign to have His portrait installed in the ancestral imperial castle. This request was granted, and the precious gift arrived a few days ago at the local k. k. district authority.

Because the birthday of our most gracious Lord and Emperor was approaching, it was decided to schedule the installation and unveiling of the painting at Castle Tyrol for this high festive day.

Today at the first break of dawn, mortar salutes from the high ancestral castle announced the day's celebration and the festive ceremonies to be observed there. At half past seven in the morning, the authorities of the ancient provincial capital, the municipal council of Meran, and the municipal administration of Tirolo assembled in the village of Tirolo under the direction of the k. k. District Captain Franz Kopp, who arranged everything, with the teaching staff of the k. k. Upper Gymnasium of Meran also represented.

From there, the procession set off towards the main castle a quarter of an hour away, where it was greeted by mortar salutes.

After the civic guard of Meran and the Schützen of Tirolo in their handsome traditional attire had formed an honour guard in the grand vestibule, the authorities and the municipal administrations passed through them into the castle chapel, where at 8 o'clock the high mass was celebrated by the Reverend Dean of Meran, who is also the parish priest of Tirolo. During the principal parts of the mass, thunderous mortar salutes were fired, which was repeated during the Te Deum. After the service held for the blessing of our reigning Lord and Emperor and the entire most serene imperial house, the k. k. District Captain, at the head of the authorities and the municipal administrations, proceeded from the church to the Princes' Hall of the castle, the anteroom of which was occupied by the provincial sharpshooters and guards with their fine musical band and onlookers, and there, next to the veiled portrait of the Emperor, delivered a fitting historical address, whereupon he unveiled it by drawing aside the white silk veil.

Sounds of trumpets and kettledrums and the thunderous bang of the mortars, amid which the loud music of the band exulted, announced this long-awaited moment down into the pleasant Meran plain and across the broad Adige valley, and a joyful stir ran through all present as they caught sight of the well-captured likeness of the youthful, chivalrous Emperor in the colonel's uniform of the Kaiserjäger regiment of the crownland of Tyrol that bears His Imperial name. The national anthem performed by the band filled this joyous interlude. — Then, in conclusion, the burgomaster of Meran expressed gratitude for this imperial favour on behalf of the municipality of Tirolo, the town of Meran, the Burggrafenamt, and the crownland that received its name from this ancestral main castle. Thereafter, the entire festive gathering returned to Meran to reconvene after a period of rest at a cheerful banquet, where the k. k. District Captain offered toasts to His Majesty Emperor Franz Joseph I and to our entire most serene imperial house, bringing this warm celebration to a close in joyful and friendly concord.