{"id":48,"date":"2010-01-15T19:44:11","date_gmt":"2010-01-15T17:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/2010\/01\/15\/lobkowicz-the-palace-the-beer-and-more\/"},"modified":"2022-01-11T21:49:48","modified_gmt":"2022-01-11T21:49:48","slug":"lobkowicz-the-palace-the-beer-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/2010\/01\/15\/lobkowicz-the-palace-the-beer-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Lobkowicz: The Palace, The Beer and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Autumn<\/a><\/p>\n

Lobkowicz is one of the most inspirational museums I have ever been to! \u00a0Not many museums, if any, have brought tears to my eyes! \u00a0This one did.<\/p>\n

Photos were not allowed inside but you can find several on the official web site.<\/a><\/p>\n

Lobkowicz Palace has a very long history reaching back to the 1500’s. \u00a0One of the “old” histories is very funny, actually. \u00a0This palace witnessed one of Bohemia’s most significant events. \u00a0In 1618, the infamous “defenestration of Prague took place. \u00a0That is when Protestant rebels threw their Catholic Imperial ministers from the upper windows of Prague Castle. \u00a0Surviving the fall (they literally landed in a dung heap) they took refuge in the adjoining Lobkowicz Palace!<\/p>\n

However, it is the most recent history that I find interesting. It starts during WWII when Prince Maxmilian Lobkowicz, Gillian, his English wife, and their son, Martin, were forced to leave Prague. \u00a0They had to flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs, leaving all their personal belongings and other properties behind. (Like most royalty, they owned several palaces and estates.) \u00a0They spent the war in England and the USA as part of the Czech government in exile.<\/p>\n

After the war, they came back with Martin who was about 10 years old. \u00a0Thinking they were back for good, it was only 2 or 3 years later that communism came and they once again lost their properties. \u00a0This time they went to America where Martin grew up and eventually married an American girl, Brook.<\/p>\n

Time passed by and Martin and his wife, had a son, William. \u00a0Finally as they watched the fall of the Berlin Wall on TV they saw a small glimmer of hope that they might return once again to their beloved Prague. \u00a0When William was about 14 years old, the family did come for a short visit. \u00a0It was during that visit, that William had the desire and the hope that some day he would be able to regain all the properties the communists took away from his grandfather, who had since died, and his father.<\/p>\n

Today, that dream has come true, although it has been somewhat altered. \u00a0First off, the family learned the good news that the Czech government was giving repartition to those people who could prove they lost properties and goods. \u00a0This was the impetus for William to return with his <\/span>family: Alexandra and their three children. \u00a0With the help of several lawyers, time and money, and a LOT of hard work, they did manage to locate many of the original paintings, furniture and other items that had been taken from the palaces. \u00a0(Michael and I are in total amazement that the Nazi’s or the communists did not destroy them).<\/p>\n

Most other family properties, however, were in ruins so they were sold to raise funds to refurbish the three that were kept. \u00a0One they refurbished is called Nelahozeves Palace, which is only 15 miles north of Prague and is open to the public. \u00a0That was the boyhood home of Martin, William’s father, who recalls riding his bicycle up and down the halls with the pictures of “disapproving ancestors” watching. \u00a0The other property is the original brewery, started in 1474 and is once again brewing and selling worldwide under the label \u00a0“LOBKOWICZ” — I had one and it is good, but Pilsner Urquell is still my favourite!.<\/p>\n

Although William is technically a “Prince” the Czech government does not allow the usage of that title anymore. \u00a0Also, William, Alexandra and his 3 children live in an apartment below the palace, not in the palace itself. \u00a0(I bet it is a beautiful <\/span><\/strong><\/strong>apartment though!)<\/p>\n

To help support Lobkowicz Palace it and its collections have been opened to the public. \u00a0He also rents out the huge palace rooms for gala events, such as wedding receptions, he has had many requests for large dinners for business affairs and he has a lovely gift shop and a small restaurant. \u00a0I read recently that he still finds it hard to “make ends meet”…so guess even the rich have it tough, huh?<\/p>\n

I think what made this tour so special were two things. \u00a0One, we had most of the rooms to ourselves which might have been due to the snowy weather. \u00a0Secondly, the free audio that comes with it was very nicely done by the family, giving it a personal touch. \u00a0We heard Martin, tell about the anguish of when he and his family had to leave when the Nazis came and then again when communism came. \u00a0Then we heard both wives, tell about some of their projects they had personally taken on and their dedication to see it accomplished. \u00a0William was the main speaker and his stories were sometimes humorous and sometimes mindboggling! \u00a0Every family member, it seems, took it upon themselves to work hard to make the palace worthy to open to the public. \u00a0We understood perfectly, that the goal was to keep it running so they could keep the palace in the family and not let it go again<\/span>.<\/p>\n

One of the rooms was dedicated to birds where we saw beautiful bird pictures made from real feathers of that particular bird. \u00a0They had been re-found in a terrible state, all buggy and water damaged. \u00a0William’s wife had the job of getting them restored. \u00a0We saw rooms of very old dishes and pottery the family was still using right up to the day they had to flee. \u00a0Most of it was incredibly beautiful. \u00a0One was a table service for 150! We “met” all the ancestors in huge oil paintings with interesting anecdotes about most so that you almost felt you knew them.<\/p>\n

Another huge painting showed the Duchess Maria Manrique de Lara who came from Spain to marry a Nobleman in Prague. \u00a0She was given the Infant Jesus of Prague as a wedding gift from her mother. \u00a0Then when her daughter, Polyxena, who had married a Lobkowicz, became a widow, she gave the Infant to the Carmelites in the village below the palace called Mala Strana. \u00a0Today you can see this Infant Jesus of Prague in the Lady of Victory Church. (I recommend seeing it and learning it’s interesting history. \u00a0Legend is that in the 1600’s, during the Thirty Years War, the doll was dumped in a trash heap, re-found and now holds a very important place.) \u00a0Read about our visit here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Also it was pointed out that most of the Lobkowicz’s were dog lovers and to notice how many of the huge oil paintings of ancestors had dogs in them! \u00a0We saw splendid furniture; amazing weaponry (which Michael valued at totally priceless); we saw rare books; beautifully painted ceilings. \u00a0One of the lovely original oil paintings was “The Hay Harvest” (1565) by Pieter Bruegal the Elder, a Dutch Renaissance painter (thumbnail above) . There were amazing other paintings which were strictly acquired as a “hobby”! \u00a0We also saw beautiful religious items in gold and some covered in jewels. \u00a0(The Lobkowicz’s were\/are Catholic – being vassals of the Hapsburgs).<\/p>\n

But the room that moved me to tears<\/strong><\/strong>…was the room that had some original Beethoven’s and Mozart’s hand written transcripts! \u00a0Also a collection of wonderful old violins, oboes, and cello’s. \u00a0The 7th Prince Lobkowicz, who was appreciative of the arts, saw in Beethoven something very special. \u00a0At that time Beethoven was taking on different patrons so he could write music, but he always had to write what the patron wanted. \u00a0What Beethoven truly wanted was to write for himself. \u00a0So when Lobkowicz became his patron, Beethoven could then compose music of his own desires. \u00a0Beethoven dedicated numerous works to the 7th Prince Lobkowicz, including the 5th, 6th, and 3rd, (Eroica) Symphonies. (From reading I have since done, I realize Beethoven’s time in Prague was only about 1 year but I am sure that Lobkowicz and Beethoven kept in touch over the years.)<\/p>\n

All the while I am listening to William telling me this, with Beethoven’s 6th playing in the background, I look down and can actually see the volumes of handwritten music! \u00a0Then I walked over to the window and looked down to the village below all silent and carpeted in snow…then I looked over to the Charles Bridge (where so many composers, Haydn, Dvorak, Smetana, Mozart (to name a few) have walked and probably mused over their music compositions) and then I gaze at the many spires in Old Town. I was absolutely and utterly besotted!<\/span><\/strong><\/strong>\u00a0 The tears just rolled out of my eyes. \u00a0To think this beautiful music was written by such an incredibly talented man and that he played it in this very palace… encouraged and appreciated by the Prince who believed in him and his talent! \u00a0I wanted to share my feelings with Michael, but could not find my voice without being afraid of sobbing out loud. \u00a0So I just stayed quiet and let the music enfold me. One of life’s rare moments and I felt blessed.<\/p>\n

The last room to visit was the actual Music Room where daily concerts are held every afternoon. \u00a0They play various classics with flute, violin and piano. \u00a0In fact, when we first entered the museum we could hear the concert as we visited some of the rooms close by. \u00a0Now, how nice is THAT! \u00a0Adjacent to the Music room was the Family Chapel with rich red wallpaper and angelic paintings around the windows. Made me wonder how many family “secrets” were confessed, how many “heartaches” were asked for healings, how many children were\u00a0baptized, or how many marriages were performed?<\/p>\n

This was one tour I was very sad to see end. \u00a0We lingered with cappuccino’s in the restaurant, we lingered some more in the gift shop where we saw a tapestry of Bruegal’s “Hay Harvest” painting we had seen upstairs and thought how nice it would be to have one on the wall but realized it would not work in our very plain Greek decor. There were lots of “doggie” pillows, but they didn’t appeal. \u00a0What did appeal was the beautiful jewelery that was WAY beyond my budget! \u00a0I guess I was satisfied to just have seen and buying really wasn’t that important. Well, I did<\/span> buy a set of playing cards with music notes on the backs.<\/p>\n

Anyway, I will carry this lovely visit in my heart for a long time. \u00a0Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed, so I am unable to share it with you visually, only in my words. \u00a0Which seem rather pathetic and trite compared to the real thing!<\/p>\n

We did take a lovely walk both to and from the Palace, so this picture album is of a day I call “Magic Sunday”!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Magic Sunday! A trip to Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Technorati Tags: Prague,Czech,Lobkowicz,palace,beer,museum,castle,Beethoven<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lobkowicz is one of the most inspirational museums I have ever been to! \u00a0Not many museums, if any, have brought tears to my eyes! \u00a0This one did. Photos were not allowed inside but you can find several on the official … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[13,4],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2MK34-M","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2322,"url":"https:\/\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/2014\/09\/08\/nelahozeves\/","url_meta":{"origin":48,"position":0},"title":"Nelahozeves","author":"Michael","date":"September 8, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"We have a long list of towns, villages, castles and other sites within a few hours of Prague that we want to visit on day trips. \u00a0Last week we traveled to the one that has been on the list the longest, Nelahozeves. Ever since our emotional first visit to the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Destinations"","block_context":{"text":"Destinations","link":"https:\/\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/category\/destinations\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/NelahozevesZamekStation-300x219.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":272,"url":"https:\/\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/2010\/12\/09\/bila-hora-or-white-mountain\/","url_meta":{"origin":48,"position":1},"title":"Bila Hora or White Mountain","author":"Karin","date":"December 9, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"One snowy January day we decided to go to see where the Battle of White Mountain took place.\u00a0 We found a map and saw a little dot in the middle of a large empty space just outside Prague.\u00a0 (The little dot was suppose to be the monument to the Battle.)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Places"","block_context":{"text":"Places","link":"https:\/\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/category\/places\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"skiers at Bila Hora, Prague","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/Skiers-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3788,"url":"https:\/\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/2015\/12\/20\/dresden-christmas-charm\/","url_meta":{"origin":48,"position":2},"title":"Dresden: Christmas Charm","author":"Michael","date":"December 20, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Wow, we were impressed with Dresden, its Christmas markets and its people. \u00a0Of course it doesn't have the beauty and charm of Prague but we found the people exceptionally friendly and the markets were clean and very charmingly decorated and seemed to offer better products and food. They all had\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Destinations"","block_context":{"text":"Destinations","link":"https:\/\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/category\/destinations\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Frauen Church and Christmas market","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/FrauenCollage-1024x518.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":327,"url":"https:\/\/parosparadise.com\/CzechMates\/2011\/03\/20\/a-tug-of-war-over-the-slav-epic\/","url_meta":{"origin":48,"position":3},"title":"A Tug of War over the Slav Epic","author":"Karin","date":"March 20, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"As mentioned in the previous posting, I am an avid admirer of Mucha's work.\u00a0 It was not until visiting the Mucha Museum that I became aware of Mucha's great work called the Slav Epic.\u00a0 They consist of 20 panels, some as tall as 10 feet. 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