In the mid-18th century, fear of the undead spread through villages of the Habsburg Empire. Graves were opened, bodies examined, and panic grew as locals blamed mysterious deaths on vampires. Empress Maria Theresa sent her trusted physician, Gerard van Swieten, to investigate. Rather than confirming superstition, he applied scientific reasoning and concluded that natural decomposition had been misinterpreted as signs of vampirism. His report led to a ban on grave desecrations and effectively ended one of Europe’s last great vampire scares — earning him a reputation as history’s first “vampire hunter.”
Curious about Vienna’s darker side and the legends that still haunt its streets? Join our Ghost Tour and uncover chilling stories, hidden corners, and eerie tales after dark:
https://austriatoursandtravel.com/tour/ghost-tour/
You can even see history firsthand: Gerard van Swieten’s report addressing the vampire hysteria is preserved in Vienna, and related Enlightenment-era medical documents and reforms connected to his work are presented at the Lower Belvedere — learn more via: https://www.belvedere.at/en/visit/lower-belvedere
Use code VAMPIRE at checkout to receive 10% off your tour. 🧛♂️✨
Leave a Reply