fbpx

04.06.

1798: Casanova Dies a Christian in a Castle in Bohemia

1798: Casanova Dies a Christian in a Castle in Bohemia
Photo Credit To Wikipedia Commons

Story Highlights

  • Historical event:
  • 04 June 1798
  • He died in the Duchcov Chateau in Bohemia, where he spent the last 13 years of his life. The castle was owned by the wealthy Count Joseph Karl von Waldstein. Casanova's last words reportedly were: "I have lived as a philosopher and I die as a Christian."

One of the most famous seducers in history died on this day at the advanced age of 73 years. He died in Bohemia, in the Duchcov Chateau, where he spent the last 13 years of his life.



The castle was owned by the wealthy Count Joseph Karl von Waldstein, who gave Casanova a job with a good salary. Count von Waldstein (Czech: z Valdštejna) was a mason, cabalist and eccentric.

Casanova was quite unhappy in the countryside, away from large urban centers. In the vicinity of the castle he could socialize only with the villagers, which was not gratifying.

Although Casanova got on well with his employer, Count von Waldstein was a much younger man who traveled a lot, so he was often absent from the castle. Even when he was there, he did not relate towards Casanova too kindly, for example, he often did not even introduce him to distinguished guests, or he ignored him during meals.

Casanova’s only real friends were his fox terriers. He considered suicide, but gave up and concluded that he must write memoirs about his life.




The tranquility of the castle offered him a good setting for writing, and he wrote till his death. He wrote an incredible 3,500 pages, but he was able to describe the events only up to the year 1774 (until his 50th year). The last 24 years remained untold.

When he died on this day, Casanova’s last words reportedly were: “I have lived as a philosopher and I die as a Christian.”

Facebook Comments Box






Related posts