8 noble families that shaped history of (not only) Czechia

Do you know why Prague is described as "golden", who made Casanova a librarian, and which Czech aristocrat confronted and defeated Napoleon? Find out the answers to these questions and plenty of other interesting things during our historical wander through Czechia.

The Schwarzenbergs: The taming of Napoleon and harnessing the power of water

During their era they controlled pretty much all of South Bohemia and chose to settle in such stunning places as Hluboká Château and Český Krumlov. Members of this eminent family fought in many battles, and in the one near Leipzig, Field Marshal Karl Philipp Schwarzenberg even came up against Napoleon himself, defeating him. They owned Křivoklát Castle, Orlík and the region of ponds around Třeboň, which they made even more beautiful. One interesting example of their work in South Bohemia is the famous Schwarzenberg Canal, which was used to ship wood from Šumava to the Danube. The canal is one of Czechia’s most famous tourist attractions.

Hluboká Chateau

The Habsburgs: The transformation of Prague into Europe’s golden metropolis

One of the most prominent European families, they ruled the Czech lands for almost four hundred years. During the reign of Emperor Rudolph II, Prague was the empire’s capital city. Prague Castle was rebuilt, and the famous Golden Lane was formed. The emperor amassed a collection of art at Prague Castle, which at that time was the largest in Europe and laid the foundations for many contemporary European galleries. Prague was a centre of learned scholars and artists such as the astronomers Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, and the painter Arcimboldo. The legend of the Golem associated with the Jewish Rabbi Löw also originates from this time. The end of World War I brought the Habsburgs’ reign in Bohemia to a close.

Golden Lane in Prague

The Harrachs: The knights from the Crystal Valley who brought the first skis to Czechia

The bearers of the knightly Order of the Golden Fleece were one of the most eminent noble families in the Habsburg Monarchy. They held high office at the Austrian Imperial Court. They owned land in the Krkonoše and the Jeseníky Mountains, and had châteaux built at Hrádek u Nechanic and Kunín. The popular Czech ski resort of Harrachov in North Bohemia is named after them. It's no secret that the Harrachs were the first to bring skis to Czechia. They also founded one of Czechia’s first glassworks (which, incidentally, is still in operation), and walled up its treasures to protect them from the Nazis. The glassworks is part of the Crystal Valley and boasts one of the most remarkable galleries of glass in the country.

Hrádek u Nechanic Chateau

The Rosenbergs: Powerful rivals of the kings of Bohemia, who built the World

This powerful noble family was one of the most influential in the country and was able to stand up against such eminent rivals as the kings of Bohemia residing in Prague Castle. Their roots allegedly dated back to Ancient Rome, to the Ursin family (Latin for bear), a fact they emphasised by keeping bears in the moat of their residence at the château in Český Krumlov. You can still see bears there today. The credit for the economic prosperity of South Bohemia lies with the learned Rosenbergs. They founded the famous Czech fish farming tradition, and had the world’s biggest pond built, which they called Svět (World). They also established breweries, one of the most famous of which is Rožmberk Brewery↗, where you can sup on an excellent lager or take an interactive tour.

Rožmberk Castle

The Wallensteins: Lions in the service of the emperor, who employed Casanova as a librarian

One of the oldest and richest families in Bohemia built its estates around Valdštejn Castle in the Bohemian Paradise. The most famous member of this prominent house was Albrecht von Wallenstein, a general in the service of the Austrian emperor during the Thirty Years' War. One person who lived until his death at their château in Duchcov was the notorious lothario and spy Casanova, whom the Wallensteins employed as their librarian. Legend has it that he was buried by Saint Barbara's Chapel, which is around five minutes’ walk from the château.

Valdštejn Castle

The powerful Wallensteins, who made their fortune in the service of the emperor, owned Křivoklát Castle, Lake Mácha and laid the foundations for the Škoda factories in Plzeň. They also owned the Wallenstein Palace in Prague, which is now home to the Senate of the Czech Republic. You can visit exhibitions in the nearby Wallenstein Riding School, and also take a stroll through the beautiful Wallenstein Garden below Prague Castle.

Křivoklát Castle

The Liechtensteins: The symbol of Europe's wealth

A famous noble family that, according to Forbes and The Times was one of the richest noble families in Europe, whose property included a third of Moravia during the height of their glory. The Liechtensteins owned Velké Losiny with its still functioning Handmade Paper Mill, as well as the castles of Šternberk and Sovinec in the Jeseníky Mountains. However, their main residences were Lednice and Valtice. These now rank among the most popular tourist attractions in Czechia. They are famous as the Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape and are two of Czechia’s finest UNESCO Heritage Sites. Amongst other things, the site now boasts the largest structured landscape in the world.

Sovinec Castle

The House of Kravaře: The lords in Hradec and the Moravian Bethlehem

The members of this noble family held high-ranking offices in the Kingdom of Bohemia, serving both as governors of Moravia and chamberlains to the King of Bohemia. Following in their footsteps will take you to some wonderful places. One of these is the fairy-tale château of Hradec nad Moravicí, which was visited by the great Beethoven himself.

Hradec nad Moravicí Chateau

Other fine places associated with the House of Kravaře include Helfštýn Castle, which guards one of the branches of the Amber Trail, and Štramberk, a picturesque little town in the northern region of Moravia, made famous for the discoveries of Neanderthals, the gingerbread speciality known as Štramberk Ears, a tribute to the brutality of the invading Tartars, and the stone Trúba (Tube) Tower that looms over the little town.

Helfštýn Castle

The Sternbergs: Český Šternberk and Baťa’s Zlín

The Sternbergs’ properties included Konopiště Castle near Prague, the famous residence of Franz Ferdinand d'Este, heir to the Austrian throne, who was assassinated in Sarajevo. They also left their mark at the majestic Český Šternberk Castle, which rises above the Sázava River, as well as the Sternberg Palace, now home to the National Gallery. Members of this prominent Czech family were involved in the foundation of the National Museum in Prague, and also owned the town of Zlín in Moravia, later made famous by the Baťa shoemaking dynasty.

Konopiště Castle