Eleonora Gonzaga (1630–1686)
Eleonora Gonzaga (18 November 1630 – 6 December 1686), was by birth Princess of Mantua, Nevers and Rethel from the Nevers branch of the House of Gonzaga and was Holy Roman Empress, German Queen, Queen consort of Hungary and Bohemia by marriage to Emperor Ferdinand III.
| Eleonora Gonzaga | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Frans Luycx, ca. 1650. | |
| Holy Roman Empress | |
| Tenure | 30 April 1651 – 2 April 1657 |
| Coronation | 4 August 1653 |
| Born | 18 November 1630 Mantua, Duchy of Mantua |
| Died | 6 December 1686 (aged 56) Vienna, Austria |
| Burial | Imperial Crypt, Vienna, Austria |
| Spouse | |
| Issue Detail | |
| House | Gonzaga |
| Father | Charles Gonzaga, Duke of Nevers |
| Mother | Maria Gonzaga, Duchess of Montferrat |
Nicknamed the Younger (de: Jüngere) to distinguish herself from her namesake grandaunt, she was considered one of the most educated and virtuous women of her time. Fascinated by religious poetry, she founded a literary academy and was also a patron of musical theater. As Holy Roman Empress, she promoted the development of cultural and spiritual life at the Imperial court in Vienna, and despite being a staunch Catholic and benefactress of several monasteries, she had a tolerant attitude towards Protestantism.
She established two female orders: the Order of Virtuosity (1662) and the Order of the Starry Cross (1668).