Wooden tomb of Johann Moritz of Nassau-Siegen (Crypt of Nassau-Siegen)

This matt grey tomb is cuboid-shaped. It stands on a plinth and is topped with a flat lid. Made of hardwood, it has a dark frame throughout, giving the impression of a metal sarcophagus. The tomb is decorated on all sides with rich carved reliefs. The long sides display coats of arms, inscriptions, medals and war trophies, while the narrow side at the front is adorned with the Nassau-Siegen coats of arms with the Danish Order of the Elephant. The rear narrow side presents St. John’s Cross with the Prince’s Sword and the Prince’s motto ‘Qua patet orbis’, meaning ‘As far as the earth’s surface can reach’. The tomb stands in the Princely Crypt, which is part of the Lower Castle in Siegen. It was intended as a grand crypt and a special place for members of the dynasty, as the counts of Nassau-Siegen had previously been interred in St. Nicholas’ Church. For this reason, alongside the prince, his parents John VII of Nassau-Siegen and Margaret of Holstein-Sonderburg were also buried here, as were several of the prince’s numerous siblings.