Andreas Hofer, Tyrolean rebel leader, executed at Mantua (1810)

Andreas Hofer, leader of the Tyrolean Rebellion, was captured in January 1810 and executed by firing squad in Mantua on 20 February 1810. Although Eugène de Beauharnais initially sought to pardon him, Napoleon overruled this decision, leading to Hofer's death at Porta Giulia. This event concluded the immediate military phase of the rebellion, though its legacy persisted in Austrian nationalist historiography.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Andreas Hofer, a Tyrolean innkeeper, led the 1809 rebellion against Bavarian and French occupation. After the rebellion was suppressed by French troops, Hofer fled into the mountains. He was betrayed to the French near St Martin in Passeier on 28 January 1810. He was arrested and brought to Mantua to face a court-martial.

Execution. Hofer was brought to Mantua, where Eugène de Beauharnais, the French viceroy, initially wanted to pardon him. However, Napoleon overruled this decision. Hofer was executed by a firing squad on 20 February 1810 at Porta Giulia, a gate of the town. Napoleon later claimed to Metternich that the execution occurred against his wishes, despite the order originating from his authority.

Legacy. The execution of Hofer became part of Austrian nationalist historiography and the national narrative for German-speaking Tyrolese. His story was mythologized, contributing to his veneration as a folk hero. The song 'Zu Mantua in Banden' deals with his execution and the fight against foreign occupants, reflecting the romanticization of his image in the 19th century.

People involved

Sources

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