HISTORY OF THE LOBKOWICZ FAMILY
The Lobkowicz family dates back to the 14th century and is one of the oldest Bohemian noble families. The Lobkowiczes have historically played an important role in European politics, as decorated Princes of the Holy Roman Empire and High Chancellors of Bohemia.
Art and cultural interests created extensive and unique collections of works of art, libraries, archives, musical manuscripts, instruments, all compiled over the centuries; and all of which have been restored to the family.
The Lobkowicz family is well-known as patrons of artists such as Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn. Gluck began his musical career in the family orchestra and Wagner’s stay at the Lobkowicz castle of Střekov inspired the creation of Tanhäuser. Beethoven dedicated numerous works to the 7th Prince Lobkowicz, including the 5th, 6th, and 3rd (Eroica) Symphonies.
With the founding of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918, titles were abolished and large scale nationalization took place. Maximilian Lobkowicz, son and heir of the last Prince and Duke of Roudnice, was a noted Czech nationalist and dedicated Republican supporter of Thomas Masaryk, the founder and First President of the Republic. During the 1920’s, Max joined the diplomatic service becoming First Secretary and later Ambassador to Great Britain for the Czechoslovak government in exile during World War II. He was active in the underground movement against the Nazis and was decorated for his service to the country in 1947. He held his ambassadorial post until he was forced to flee Czechoslovakia after the Communist take-over in 1948.
One of the results of the Velvet Revolution of 1989 was the passage of restitution laws, designed to repair the injustices of the previous 41 years and encourage swift revitalization of the country. The process of returning immovable and moveable assets was thus set in motion.
Numerous castles were returned back to the Roudnice branch of the family after their return in 1990, most in a state of disrepair. Nelahozeves, a mid-16th century Renaissance chateau, which was acquired by the family in 1623, is located in the village where composer Antonín Dvořák was born; his birth house was also returned to the family. The chateau continues the tradition of the family in patronizing the arts by remaining open to the public, offering permanent collections as well as special exhibits. The castle itself is the site of many popular commercial and cultural events year-round, including the Dvořák Nelahozeves music festival started in 1993. Roudnice castle, for centuries the Seat of the Archbishop of Prague, came to the family in the 16th century and was rebuilt in its present Baroque style by the High Chancellor, Prince Václav Eusebius Lobkowicz. The Roudnice castle wine-cellars, founded in 1603, still produce one of the finest and most popular wines in the Czech Republic. The castle is presently occupied by the Czech military.
In addition, the Roudnice winery (established in 1603) and Lobkowicz brewery (established in 1466) are producing high quality beverages which are available throughout the Czech Republic and the world. The family is actively pursuing projects surrounding art and cultural life in the Czech Republic. For more than a decade, the Roudnice Lobkowiczes have been restoring the collections for the benefit of the public through non-profit organizations in the Czech Republic and abroad. Lobkowicz Events Management, along with managing all rental activities at Nelahozeves Castle and the Lobkowicz Palace in Prague, offers destination management services for congress and business meeting organization, as well as incentive and group tourism services in the Czech Republic.