Karl II.

Karl II, b. Vienna, June 3, 1540, d. Graz (Styria), July 10, 1590, Archduke of Innerösterreich (Inner Austrian lands), youngest son of Emperor Ferdinand I. In 1564 he received the Inner Austrian lands (Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, Gorizia, Trieste), resided in Graz and founded the Styrian line of the Habsburgs. K. fought against the reformation, called the Jesuits to Graz in 1572, but had to make concessions to the Protestants (1572 religious pacification of Graz, 1578 "Libellus of Bruck"). He had to incur large expenditures for the protection of the Croatian border (1579 construction of the fortress Karlovac). K. founded the university of Graz in 1585, promoted music and the fine arts. His mausoleum at Seckau is one of the most important works of art of the time.

Literature: A. Novotny and B. Sutter (eds.), Inner-Österreich. 1564-1619, 1967.