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Castrum doloris

Castrum doloris of Queen Catherine Opalińska

The castrum doloris (Latin for castle of grief) was a structure and set of decorations which sheltered and accompanied the catafalque or bier in a funeral. It signified the prestige and power of the deceased, and was common in Poland-Lithuania and other parts of Europe.[1][2]

Initially a simple wooden structure with a fabric baldachin, it gradually transformed in the 17th century and 18th century to a more elaborate form. Sometimes it would be supplemented by candles, coats of arms, epitaphs and allegorical pictures, in which case it was also called a chapelle ardente. Sigismund II Augustus was one of the first Polish rulers to have a castrum doloris in the 1570s.[1][2]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference koutnyjones was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference brill was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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