Anna Plochl

Location of the bust: "Steirische Ehrengalerie" Burg/Graz |

Anna Plochl took by storm not only the heart of Archduke Johann, but also the hearts of the Styrian people. A commoner, she always stood by her husband faithfully and supported all his plans and endeavours. 


1804  Anna Plochl is born in Aussee as the daughter of a postmaster and his wife. 

1819  The commoner girl meets Archduke Johann for the first time at Lake Toplitzsee 

1823  Archduke Johann wants to marry his „Nannerl“, but is refused permission by his brother, the Austrian Emperor. After the couple finally succeeds in obtaining the blessing of Emperor Franz I, they are finally able to marry after all. 

1834  Anna receives the title „Baroness von Brandhofen“. 

1844  The Archduke’s wife receives the title „Countess of Meran“. 

1859-1885  Even after her husband’s death, Anna Plochl remains committed to the social needs of the Styrian population. For example, she builds the Anna Children’s Hospital in Graz.

1885  Anna Plochl dies in Aussee at the age of 81.

Anna Plochl |

Anna Plochl, the future Countess of Meran, was born in Aussee on 6 January 1804 as the daughter of a postmaster and his wife.
At the age of 15, the commoner girl met her future husband, Archduke Johann, for the first time at Lake Toplitzsee in Styria.
The brother of the reigning Austrian Emperor Franz I immediately fell in love with his „Nannerl“ and wanted to marry her in 1823. However, his brother initially refused to consent to his marrying a commoner woman.

Archduke Johann |

The two lovers had to wait another six years for the Emperor’s consent. Finally, on 18 February 1829, they were allowed to marry. After Anna Plochl had given the Archduke a male heir (Franz Ludwig) in 1839, she was ennobled by the Emperor in 1844 as the Countess of Meran.