Marie Eleonora of Liechtenstein

(1745-1812)

Marie Eleonora was not just a passive product of her time; she was an active co-creator. Her personality was a fascinating blend of aristocratic grace, keen intellect and unwavering will. The education she received at the convent in Strasbourg was not only about etiquette and French. It was a deep study of philosophy, history and rhetoric that enabled her not only to lead but also to dominate the intellectual debates in her famous Viennese salon. She was a conversation partner for the greatest minds of her time, including the emperor himself.

Her political influence was palpable. She was not afraid to openly oppose the emperor's most radical ecclesiastical reforms, which she considered too hasty and destructive of the traditional order. Her criticisms, however, were always delivered with such tact and intelligence that she never lost the emperor's confidence. Her salon became an informal institution, a kind of "shadow government", where matters of state were discussed before they reached official proceedings. It was here that the careers of ministers and generals were decided and foreign policy was shaped. She was a well-known opponent of Minister Thugut and later of the rising star, Clemens von Metternich, whose policy of marrying Archduchess Marie-Louise to Napoleon she considered a national humiliation. Her influence stemmed from a combination of personal charm, extensive family connections and, above all, her position as an independent and respected advisor to the Emperor.

Eleonora Amalie of Schwarzenberg

(1682-1741)

The life story of the lady at Český Krumlov is a drama worthy of Shakespeare. Her husband, the PrinceAdam Frantisek of Schwarzenberghe was an avid hunter, which proved fatal to him. In 1732 he participated in an imperial hunt near Brandýs nad Labem. In the heat of the hunt, he came into the firing line of the Emperor himselfCharles VI.who accidentally fatally shot him. The Emperor was devastated by this tragedy. He immediately took charge of his orphaned son Joseph Adam and took over the patronage of the family. Eleonora, now a widow, became regent and proved to be an extremely capable and energetic administrator of the vast estate.

Her last years were marked by a battle with cancer. She underwent exhausting and painful treatment, which included unusual and expensive remedies for the time, such as drinking wolf's milk. Her illness and the associated physical changes, together with her penchant for mysticism, fed the imagination of her subjects. After her death in 1741, an autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death - a highly unusual step for a high-ranking noblewoman at the time. The autopsy report describing her diseased body was found decades later and misinterpreted in the atmosphere of anti-Venus hysteria that spread through Europe. Thus was born the legend of the "vampire priestess", a fascinating, if entirely fictional, testament to how fear and superstition can distort historical reality.

Moravský Krumlov Castle

The castle in Moravský Krumlov, majestically towering on a rocky promontory above the meanders of the Rokytná River, is a true chronicle of history. Its story begins as early as 1146, when it was the site of a fortress and later the county castle of Rokiten, a strategic guardian of trade routes. After its destruction during the disputes between the Přemyslids, a new stone castle was built and named Krumlov. Over the centuries, important families such as the lords of Obřany, Kravař and Cimburk have changed here, each of them leaving their mark on the castle. However, it was not until the 16th century that the Lords of Lipá made the final transformation into a Renaissance jewel. According to the designs of the Italian builderLeonarda Gara de Bisono an elegant four-winged building with a magnificent arcaded courtyard decorated with coats of arms and reliefs was built in 1557-1562.

After the Battle of White Mountain, the Liechtensteins acquired the manor. They continued to modify the castle, but the most significant trace was left by Marie Eleonora and her husband, who lived here since 1772. After the extinction of their line, the castle passed to the related Kinský family. The dramatic 20th century brought the bombing of the town by the Red Army at the end of the Second World War, which the castle miraculously survived. After the war, it was confiscated and used as a seat of offices and later as a school, which led to its gradual decay. After 1989 it went through a difficult period of privatisation and further decline. The turning point came in 2016, when the town of Moravský Krumlov managed to acquire the castle into its ownership. Thanks to a huge effort, extensive reconstruction began in 2020, which returned the castle to its former glory. Since the summer of 2022, it has been open to the public again and, in addition to the exhibitionSlavic epics offers tours of the repaired interiors and a climb to the castle tower.

Charles of Bohemia of Liechtenstein

(1730-1789)

Prince Charles Borromeo Joseph of Liechtenstein was the embodiment of the ideal of the aristocratic soldier of the Theresian era. As the second-born son, he was destined for a military career, while his older brother Franz Joseph I inherited the title of reigning Prince of Liechtenstein. He threw himself into military service with vigour and soon earned a reputation as a brave and talented cavalry commander. His star shone brightly during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), where he distinguished himself at the Battle of Cologne (1757) and the Battle of Liberec. His career ascended, culminating in his attainment of the highest military rank of field marshal (1788) and the award of the most prestigious Habsburg decoration, the Order of the Golden Fleece, in 1772.

His marriage to Maria Eleonora was crucial for him. Her enormous dowry and influence at court gave him the means and prestige to found his own Moravian-Krumlov branch of the family - the Secondary Genealogy, whose seat became Moravský Krumlov in 1772. This step enabled him to become the lord of his own estate and to secure the future for his descendants. Together with Marie Eleonora, they formed a strong and ambitious couple, where military glory was combined with political influence and cultural patronage.

Liechtenstein Tomb in Moravské Krumlov

The construction of the family tomb in 1789 was the crowning of Marie Eleonora's life's work and a manifestation of the importance of her family. It is a perfect exampleclassicism and one of the first buildings of this type in Moravia. For the design, the princess chose a renowned Viennese architectJohann Henrizziwho created a building with strict, clean lines, evoking the impression of an ancient temple. The coats of arms of the Liechtenstein and Oettingen-Spielberg families and a Latin inscription commemorating the foundation of the tomb are on the facade.

For the interior decoration, specifically for the altarpiece of the Crucified, she engaged another top personality - the painterHubert Maurer, rector of the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. By creating her own mausoleum, Marie Eleonora made it clear that her Moravian-Krumlov branch was a separate and fully-fledged dynasty, independent of the main line of the family buried in Vranov u Brna. Between 1789 and 1908, 21 members of the family were laid to eternal rest in the tomb.

Emperor Joseph II.

(1741-1790)

The son and successor of Maria Theresa, Joseph II was one of the most controversial and fascinating figures in European history. He was the prototype of the Enlightenment absolutist - a monarch who believed it was his duty to rule by reason and to bring prosperity to his subjects, even against their will. His motto was "Everything for the people, nothing through the people". During his relatively short independent reign (1780-1790), he attempted to radically transform the entire Habsburg monarchy. He issued more than 6,000 decrees and regulations in an attempt to modernise and centralise the civil service, simplify the legal system and limit the power of the Church. Among his most famous and enduring reforms areabolition of serfdom (1781), which gave the peasants personal liberty, andTolerance patent (1781), which guaranteed limited religious freedom for Lutherans, Calvinists and Orthodox.

His personal life was marked by tragedy. He loved his first wife, Isabella of Parma, deeply and passionately, but she died of smallpox after several years of marriage. He never showed any affection for his second wife, Maria Josepha of Bavaria, whom he married for purely political reasons. After her death, he never remarried and remained emotionally lonely. This emptiness in his life may explain his deep and intense attachment to Maria Eleonora, with whom he fell in love after the death of his mother. In her he found not only an intelligent partner for political debate, but also a kindred spirit and an understanding friend to whom he could confide his doubts and worries.

Marie Leopoldina von Kaunitz

(1741-1795)

The older sister of Marie Eleonora, with whom she shared an exceptionally strong bond, formed by a common childhood without a mother and her upbringing in a convent. She was her closest confidante and ally throughout her life. While Eleonora was renowned for her strategic thinking and diplomatic tact, Leopoldina was known for her directness, energy and sometimes fiery temperament. Together, they formed the perfect team to dominate Viennese society.

Her importance was further increased by her marriage to the EarlErnst Christoph von Kaunitz-Rietberg. This made her the daughter-in-law of one of the most powerful men in the monarchy, the Chancellor of StateVáclav Antonín, Prince of Kounic-Rietberg. For almost forty years this man directed the foreign policy of the Habsburg Empire and was a key figure in European diplomacy. Thanks to this family connection, the sisters had access to the most confidential information and could influence events not only through the Emperor but also through the highest circles of the state administration. Leopoldina was a key and very vocal member of the "Circle of Five Priestesses". Her sharp and well-articulated opinions, for example on the American Revolution, were often heard in the salon and demonstrate that there were debates at the highest intellectual and political level that affected the entire world at the time.

Karel Schwarzenberg

(1937-2023)

His princely clarity Karel Schwarzenberg was a fascinating figure who linked the deep history of European nobility with modern Czech and European politics. As the head of the Eagle branch of the Schwarzenberg family, he was a direct descendant of Maria Eleonora of Liechtenstein, specifically her great-great-great-grandson. This connection was not just a genealogical curiosity; his personality reflected part of the legacy of his famous ancestress - cosmopolitanism, intellectual insight and a deep sense of service to the state.

After the communist coup in 1948, his family was forced to go into exile in Austria. There he became actively involved in supporting Czechoslovak dissent and became chairman of the International Helsinki Committee for Human Rights. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, he immediately returned to his homeland and offered his services to the fledgling democracy. President Václav Havel chose him as his chancellor and Karel Schwarzenberg became one of the key figures of the post-Soviet development. He later served as a senator, deputy and twice as the Czech Foreign Minister, where he put his lifelong experience and contacts to good use. In 2013, he reached the second round of the direct presidential election. His existence and public service are living proof of how a bloodline and its associated values can endure for centuries, and how the legacy of a visionary 18th-century princess could resonate in 21st-century politics.

John Nepomuk III. Schwarzenberg

(* 1967)

Jan Nepomuk III, full name Jan Nepomuk Ondřej Jindřich Josef Karel Ferdinand Jan Evangelista Three Kings Achaz, Prince of Schwarzenberg, is the current head of the Eagle branch of the family and a direct descendant of Marie Eleonora of Liechtenstein. After the death of his father, Karl Schwarzenberg, in 2023, he became his successor and heir. Although, unlike his father, he is not involved in active politics, his role is key to the preservation and management of the extensive family heritage, which includes forests, ponds, farmland and historic properties such as Orlik Castle and Zvíkov Castle.

He grew up mostly in exile in Austria and Germany, where he studied forestry, which prepared him perfectly for his current role as manager of the family estate. After 1989, he returned to Czechoslovakia with his father and began to participate in the restoration and management of the returned estates. He is known as a modern farmer who emphasises sustainability and an ecological approach. With his wife, the writer and designer Alžbeta, née Pezoldová, he continues the family tradition of cultural patronage and care for historical heritage. His figure represents a bridge between the centuries-old tradition of the noble family and the challenges of the 21st century, and is thus living proof of the enduring legacy of his great-great-great-grandmother, Marie Eleonora.

Slavic Epic

The Slavonic Epic is a monumental cycle of twenty large-format paintings by the Czech painterAlphonse Muchawhich is considered his life's work. Mucha worked on it between 1910 and 1928 and depicted key moments in the mythology and history of the Czechs and other Slavic peoples. The paintings are not just historical scenes; they are imbued with symbolism, patriotism and a belief in the spiritual mission of the Slavs. Their dimensions are staggering, some reaching up to 6x8 metres.

The cycle was first exhibited in its complete form in 1928 at the Trade Fair Palace in Prague. Alfons Mucha donated the entire work to the Czech nation and to Prague on the condition that the city would build its own separate exhibition pavilion for it. This promise was never fulfilled. After the Second World War, the paintings were stored and in 1963 they were transported to the Moravský Krumlov Chateau, where they were exhibited for almost fifty years and became a symbol of the town. In 2012, the epic was transported back to Prague, sparking a wave of controversy. After years of controversy, it is now back in Moravské Krumlov, where it is on display for the public.

Adam Frantisek of Schwarzenberg

(1680-1732)

The Duke of Schwarzenberg and Duke of Krumlov, Adam František was an important figure of the Baroque nobility and a capable farmer. He was known for his passion for hunting, which unfortunately proved fatal. As High Court Marshal, he was responsible for organising the imperial hunts and was a close companion of Emperor Charles VI. It was during one such hunt in 1732 that tragedy struck. The Emperor, who was shooting at a deer, hit the Prince, who accidentally found himself in the path of the shot. The prince died of his wounds. Emperor Charles VI was devastated by the event and felt deep personal guilt. To atone for his actions, he assumed personal guardianship over the widow Eleonora Amalia and their son Joseph Adam, ensuring their protection and the support of the court. Ironically, this tragedy further strengthened the Schwarzenbergs' position at the imperial court, but left a deep scar on the family history.

Emperor Charles VI.

(1685-1740)

Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and ruler of the Habsburg lands, Charles VI was the last male descendant of the Habsburg dynasty. His reign was defined by one main goal: to ensure that his eldest daughter, Maria Theresa, could succeed him on the throne. Because traditional succession laws favored men, he had to enforce a new law known as thePragmatic sanction. This document of 1713 established the indivisibility of the Habsburg lands and allowed for succession in the female line. His entire foreign policy was subordinated to the effort to have this document recognised by all European powers. Although he succeeded diplomatically, after his death in 1740 wars immediately broke out over the Austrian succession, which the young Maria Theresa had to fight hard to win. Charles VI was also a great lover of music and art, but his legacy is inextricably linked to the struggle for the future of his daughter and the dynasty.

Ernst Christoph von Kaunitz-Rietberg

(1737-1797)

Count Ernst Christoph was a prominent Austrian diplomat and courtier, whose position was further enhanced by the fact that he was the nephew and protégé of the all-powerful Chancellor of State Václav Antonín of Kounice. He served as ambassador in Naples and later held high positions at court. His marriage to Maria Leopoldina of Oettingen-Spielberg was a strategic union of two influential families. For Leopoldina and her sister Maria Eleonora, it meant direct access to the highest levels of Austrian politics and diplomacy. Ernst Christoph became part of their social circle and his connections and information were invaluable to the political ambitions of both sisters. Although he stood in the shadow of his more famous uncle, he was an important link between the salon priests and the official structures of state power.

Václav Antonín of Kounic-Rietberg

(1711-1794)

Prince Václav Antonín of Kounic-Rietberg was one of the greatest statesmen and diplomats of the 18th century. For almost forty years, from 1753 to 1792, he was at the forefront of Habsburg foreign policy as Chancellor of State. His influence during the reigns of Maria Theresa and Joseph II was enormous and he was nicknamed the "coachman of Europe". His greatest diplomatic achievement was the so-called "Great War"."reversal of alliances" before the Seven Years' War, when he succeeded in ending centuries of hostility between the Habsburgs and France and forged a new alliance against a rising Prussia. He was a master of backroom dealings, an intelligent and learned man, but also notorious for his arrogance and vanity. The family connection to this man, through the marriage of his nephew to Marie Leopoldine, gave the sisters Eleonora and Leopoldine access to information and leverage of power undreamed of by most nobles. No doubt his views and strategies were often discussed in their salon.

Johann Henrizzi

Viennese architect who was one of the most important representatives of early classicism in the Habsburg monarchy. His style was characterised by a departure from the ornate and curvaceous style of the late Baroque and Rococo periods and a move towards simplicity, symmetry and monumentality inspired by ancient architecture. His buildings, often palaces and public buildings, emphasised purity of form, geometric precision and elegant proportions. That Marie Eleonora chose him to design such a personal and symbolic project as the family tomb is testament to her progressive taste and desire to be at the cutting edge of modern artistic movements. She wanted to create a memorial for her family that was not just a tomb, but a timeless work of art, and Henrizzi's classical style was perfectly suited for this purpose.

Hubert Maurer

(1738-1818)

Hubert Maurer was a respected Austrian painter and teacher who became a key figure in Viennese academic art at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. He studied and later himself served as professor and rector at the prestigious Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. His work is a typical example of classicism - characterised by precise drawing, clear and balanced composition, and subjects often drawn from history, mythology and religion. His style was in stark contrast to the playfulness and decorativeness of Rococo. By entrusting him with the creation of the altarpiece for the family tomb, Marie Eleonora made her artistic preferences clear. She did not want a sentimental or ornate scene, but a dignified, academically accomplished work that would match the solemnity and monumentality of the tomb's classical architecture. Her choice confirms her role as an educated and discerning patron.

Alfons Mucha

(1860-1939)

Czech painter, graphic artist and designer who became one of the most important personalities of the European Art Nouveau, known in France as Art Nouveau. He was born in Ivančice, near Moravský Krumlov. He gained worldwide fame in Paris at the end of the 19th century, mainly thanks to his theatre posters for the legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt. His style - characterised by elegant lines, ornamental motifs and idealised female figures - defined an entire artistic epoch. Although he was celebrated as a master of the decorative arts, his heart yearned to create work with a deeper, patriotic message. Upon his return to his homeland, he devoted nearly twenty years of his life to the creation of his magnum opus, the Slavic Epic. With this cycle he wanted to raise the spirit and self-esteem of the Czech and other Slavic peoples and to recall their glorious history and mythology. His life's journey is a fascinating story of an artist who achieved worldwide success but ultimately returned to his roots to serve his nation.

Leonardo Garo de Bisono

Italian builder and architect who is one of the important artists who brought the authentic style of the Italian Renaissance to Moravia in the 16th century. These "Wallachian" masters were invited by wealthy noblemen who desired modern and representative mansions according to the latest trends from the Apennine Peninsula. Leonardo Garo de Bisono worked in the service of the powerful Lords of Lipé and his most important and best preserved work is the conversion of the originally Gothic castle in Moravské Krumlov into a splendid Renaissance chateau. He is the author of the magnificent arcaded courtyard, which is still the pride of the castle today. The three-storey arcades with elegant columns and relief decoration are a perfect example of Northern Italian Renaissance architecture and testify to his mastery and artistic flair.