Hořovice Chateau deposits aircraft wrecks

Accept an invitation to Hořovice Chateau, which is an important Baroque monument in the Central Bohemia. Its origins go back to the 17th century. when was founded by the Lords of Vrbno and Bruntál.

During the tour of the chateau you become aquainted with fates of the last aristocratic owners of the chateau, who were influenced by a tragic death of a young prince and an acrobatic flier Tassilo. Wrecks of his plane you can see in the second sightseeing-tour of the chateau.

The Count Tassilo of Shaumburg, Prince of Hanau was the second-born son of the owner of Hořovice manor and a brother of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich, Count of Schaumburg, Prince of Hanau, the last private owner of the Hořovice Chateau. During the absence of his brother he took the place of him in the administration of landed estates. He actively worked especially in the sphere of animal breeding and agriculture. This is evident from preserved books with his ex-libris, placed in his room.

His hobby was all above the aviation. He was the acrobatic pilot and he successfully participated in air competitions with his red biplane BFW D-1849, in which he always started for Germany.

However on 16th May 1932 during a demonstration flight he had a fatal accident and he died at the age of 31 years. The funeral of Prince Tassilo came from the main hall of Hořovice Chateau, then the procession continued to the provost church and to the local cemetery to a family tomb of Moritz of Hanau. The procession had members of relatives and friends from Germany, Austria and former Czechoslovakia aristocracy, representatives of the Ministry of National Defence, delegation of Czechoslovak air regiments, representatives of Masaryk Air League and about 3000 people from the town and its surroundings. During the funeral three Czechoslovak aircrafts circled above the cemetery.

After the death of Tassilo his family kept his room and did not used it more. And just this room, visitors of Hořovice Chateau can see within the second sightseeing-tour. There are preserved remains of the crashed aircraft, a parachute, a combination suit and a part of his wardrobe. On a wall there hangs a copy of a propeller of the prince's aircraft, the original was placed on the coffin with his remains.

The sightseeing-tour enrichs a walk through a park with sculptures by M. B. Braun and a wrought-iron gate, the so-called Sun Gate.

A traditional ceremeny „The Earl of Vrbno Festival“ will take place on 26th June 2010 in the courtyard of the Hořovice Chateau. Come and see fencing, theatrical and dance performances, taste period specialties and buy small gifts.