House of Lobkowicz

Coat of arms of Lobkowicz family

The Lobkowicz family (Lobkovicové in modern Czech, sg. z Lobkovic; Lobkowitz in German) dates back to the 14th century and is one of the oldest Bohemian noble families. The first Lobkowiczs were mentioned as members of the gentry of north-eastern Bohemia.

Members

Zdeněk Vojtěch Popel z Lobkovic (1568–1628), 1. Prince
Václav Eusebius František, 2. Prince (1609–1677)

Historically, the best known member of the Lobkowicz family is probably Joseph Franz Maximilian Lobkowicz (1772–1816), one of Haydn's and Beethoven's patrons. He was the dedicatee of some of these composers' greatest works, including Haydn's "Lobkowitz" quartets (Op. 77), and Beethoven's 3rd, 5th, and 6th symphonies and his Op. 18 string quartets.[2]

In 1918/1919 both Austria and Czechoslovakia abolished nobility including its titles and other prerogatives.

Today, there are four main branches of family: the Roudnice Lobkowiczs, the Křimice Lobkowiczs, the Dolni Beřkovice Lobkowiczs, and the Mělník Lobkowiczs.

Well-known Lobkowiczs of today are:

Family seats

Princely coat of arms

After the Velvet Revolution of 1989 a number of castles and estates were restituted to different branches of the family, namely the Lobkowicz palace in Prague Castle (now a museum with a famous art collection), Nelahozeves Castle (museum), Roudnice nad Labem castle, Střekov castle, Mělník castle, Bílina castle, Křimice castle, Dolní Beřkovice castle (inherited by the Thurn und Taxis family), Jezeří castle (sold), Vysoký Chlumec castle (sold).

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Their son Julius Francis became the last Ascanian Duke of that duchy.
  2. ↑ "Lobkowicz Family History". Lobkowicz Collections. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "Estera Lobkowicz in WorldCat". Retrieved 15 April 2015.

External links