Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau became Archbishop of Salzburg in 1587 at just 28 years old, backed by his Medici family connections through his mother's line. His reign was defined less by ecclesiastical concerns than by an aggressive rebuilding of Salzburg in the Italian Baroque style — financed in part by the archbishopric's substantial salt revenues, which underpinned its independent coinage throughout this period.
He was eventually deposed in 1612 by his cousin Markus Sittikus, imprisoned in Hohensalzburg fortress, and died there five years later. The 1612 terminus on this issue reflects that forced abdication rather than a natural end of reign.
Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau became Archbishop of Salzburg in 1587 at just 28 years old, backed by his Medici family connections through his mother's line. His reign was defined less by ecclesiastical concerns than by an aggressive rebuilding of Salzburg in the Italian Baroque style — financed in part by the archbishopric's substantial salt revenues, which underpinned its independent coinage throughout this period.
He was eventually deposed in 1612 by his cousin Markus Sittikus, imprisoned in Hohensalzburg fortress, and died there five years later. The 1612 terminus on this issue reflects that forced abdication rather than a natural end of reign.