The Kinsky Family
The seat of the head of the Kinsky family has been located in Chlumec for over 12 generations, but the origins of this ancient Czech family can be traced further back. The family is first mentioned in the 13th century when they used their original surname, "Vchynsky", probably after a town near Lobovice, in northern Bohemia. Due to their enterprise, courage, able economic management and services to the Bohemian Crown, they gradually rose in the ranks of the Bohemian nobility until they took their place amongst the leading families. This family provided the Crown with many leading statesmen, soldiers and diplomats.
Radslav Vchynsky (“Radslav the Rich”) (+1619),was one of the ten richest and most influential men in the country, and was a shrewd and able administrator. He managed to have his family ennobled by Emperor Rudolph II, who was in need of his support. During the Thirty-Years’ War, Radslav’s nephews took an active part, but on different sides. On the protestant side, Ulric Vchynsky (+1620) was one of the nobles who took part in the defenestration of Prague,( throwing the count of Martinitz out of the window and helping to sparking the war). His brother, William Kinsky, who was elevated to the rank of count in 1628 and changed his name to Kinsky, was a strong supporter of Waldstein, and was murdered with him in the castle of Cheb(1634).
The elder brother, Vaclav, sided with Emperor Mattias, and received the estate of Chlumec for his services in 1611. From this date, Chlumec became the family seat, but its old medieval fortress wasn’t representative and left much to be desired . Towards the middle of the 17th century Francis Oldrich Kinsky made some modifications on it(, while his brother, Vaclav Norbert, had greenhouses built where oranges, lemons and figs were grown and sent as far as the Prussian court) . The desire for a more ornate and representative seat reflected the rise in importance of the Kinsky family. They reached the highest echelons in the emperor’s government, covering the position of First Chancellor of the Bohemian Crown for many years. They became related by marriage to many of the most important families.
In 1745, the old castle was heavily damaged by fire and it was later abandoned. Luckily this happened after the construction of the new castle, built on a hill half a mile away.
"Karlova Korona is one of the foremost baroque castles in the Czech Republic. It has a unique ground-plan which is reminiscent of the royal crown. It consists of a cylindrical core with three wings each of three rooms with square floors. It is surrounded by a 40-acre park with rare specimens, an example of English Baroque garden and there is an orangerie built in the 19th century in the southern part."
The "Liechtenstein palace" and the "Theresian palace" were later built facing the castle, as residences for the widowed mother-in-laws --an intelligent idea! After the 1890's, the castle was used mostly for special occasions, while the family lived in the smaller, more liveable Theresian and Liechtenstein buildings.
Horse-breeding was a family tradition. By the mid-1700's, the Kinsky family had already received a royal commission to breed riding and hunting horses for the cavalry, and by Octavian Kinsky(1813-1896), who bred horses for the Pardubice Grand National Race- modeled on the Grand National of Liverpool. The gold Kinsky sport horse was bred for this occasion and is still famous for its stamina and agility.( Members of the Kinsky family were traditionally excellent horsemen — Lata Brandisova, niece of Octavian Kinsky, was the only woman to win the Grand Pardubice in 1937.) This passion for horses is reflected by the numerous paintings which are on display in the castle, including a series by Hamilton.
Zdenko Radslav (1896-1975) was an important figure in the newly independent Czechoslovak nation and was instrumental in the defense of the borders of the old Czech “kingdom” because he sponsored the “Declaration of Loyalty to the Czech Nation” which was subscribed to by many Czechs. He restored “Karlova Koruna” in 1936 and moved in. Unfortunately, this “new life” for the castle didn’t last very long. After being heavily damaged by fire in 1943, it was taken over by the Communist regime in 1947 and later turned into a museum of Baroque art.
Zdenko’s son, Norbert Kinsky, was traveling to Italy to get married to Anna Maria Dal Borgo Netolitzky when he learned of the Communist take-over. He remained there to raise his two sons until 1992, when, following the “Velvet Revolution”, the chateau was returned to him. With great joy, he returned to his home and the land of his birth. The castle now houses an exhibition of family furniture and a large collection of paintings, many of them depicting horses, reflecting the lasting passion of this family, while, following an old tradition, the “Liechtenstein” has once again become the cozy “home”.
Radslav Vchynsky (“Radslav the Rich”) (+1619),was one of the ten richest and most influential men in the country, and was a shrewd and able administrator. He managed to have his family ennobled by Emperor Rudolph II, who was in need of his support. During the Thirty-Years’ War, Radslav’s nephews took an active part, but on different sides. On the protestant side, Ulric Vchynsky (+1620) was one of the nobles who took part in the defenestration of Prague,( throwing the count of Martinitz out of the window and helping to sparking the war). His brother, William Kinsky, who was elevated to the rank of count in 1628 and changed his name to Kinsky, was a strong supporter of Waldstein, and was murdered with him in the castle of Cheb(1634).
The elder brother, Vaclav, sided with Emperor Mattias, and received the estate of Chlumec for his services in 1611. From this date, Chlumec became the family seat, but its old medieval fortress wasn’t representative and left much to be desired . Towards the middle of the 17th century Francis Oldrich Kinsky made some modifications on it(, while his brother, Vaclav Norbert, had greenhouses built where oranges, lemons and figs were grown and sent as far as the Prussian court) . The desire for a more ornate and representative seat reflected the rise in importance of the Kinsky family. They reached the highest echelons in the emperor’s government, covering the position of First Chancellor of the Bohemian Crown for many years. They became related by marriage to many of the most important families.
In 1745, the old castle was heavily damaged by fire and it was later abandoned. Luckily this happened after the construction of the new castle, built on a hill half a mile away.
KARLOVA KORUNA
Because he needed a more suitable and representative place to receive his guests, especially the future Emperor, Francis Ferdinand Kinsky (1678-1741), First Chancellor and Grand Venor of the Kingdom of Bohemia, decided to have “ Karlova Koruna” (Charles Crown) built in 1721-1723 . It was one of the foremost baroque castles in the Kingdom. The plans were drawn by one of the main baroque architects of Italian origin, Jan Santini Aichel. The building works were directed by the Prague Architekt Frantisek Maxmilian Kanka. When works on the building were completed, the coronation of Emperor Charles VI, King of Bohemia took place in Prague . After the ceremonies, the Monarch honored Chancellor F. F. Kinsky by accepting an invitation to his new Castle which, in memory of the event, took the name of "Charles's Crown". Other monarchs who visited it were Maria Teresa (1743), Francis Steven of Lorene (1743,1750) and Charles of Lorene (1744,1747)."Karlova Korona is one of the foremost baroque castles in the Czech Republic. It has a unique ground-plan which is reminiscent of the royal crown. It consists of a cylindrical core with three wings each of three rooms with square floors. It is surrounded by a 40-acre park with rare specimens, an example of English Baroque garden and there is an orangerie built in the 19th century in the southern part."
The "Liechtenstein palace" and the "Theresian palace" were later built facing the castle, as residences for the widowed mother-in-laws --an intelligent idea! After the 1890's, the castle was used mostly for special occasions, while the family lived in the smaller, more liveable Theresian and Liechtenstein buildings.
Horse-breeding was a family tradition. By the mid-1700's, the Kinsky family had already received a royal commission to breed riding and hunting horses for the cavalry, and by Octavian Kinsky(1813-1896), who bred horses for the Pardubice Grand National Race- modeled on the Grand National of Liverpool. The gold Kinsky sport horse was bred for this occasion and is still famous for its stamina and agility.( Members of the Kinsky family were traditionally excellent horsemen — Lata Brandisova, niece of Octavian Kinsky, was the only woman to win the Grand Pardubice in 1937.) This passion for horses is reflected by the numerous paintings which are on display in the castle, including a series by Hamilton.
Zdenko Radslav (1896-1975) was an important figure in the newly independent Czechoslovak nation and was instrumental in the defense of the borders of the old Czech “kingdom” because he sponsored the “Declaration of Loyalty to the Czech Nation” which was subscribed to by many Czechs. He restored “Karlova Koruna” in 1936 and moved in. Unfortunately, this “new life” for the castle didn’t last very long. After being heavily damaged by fire in 1943, it was taken over by the Communist regime in 1947 and later turned into a museum of Baroque art.
Zdenko’s son, Norbert Kinsky, was traveling to Italy to get married to Anna Maria Dal Borgo Netolitzky when he learned of the Communist take-over. He remained there to raise his two sons until 1992, when, following the “Velvet Revolution”, the chateau was returned to him. With great joy, he returned to his home and the land of his birth. The castle now houses an exhibition of family furniture and a large collection of paintings, many of them depicting horses, reflecting the lasting passion of this family, while, following an old tradition, the “Liechtenstein” has once again become the cozy “home”.
