Pretium laborum non vile - Imperceptible award for effort

Valtice Castle invites you to an exhibition aimed at Knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Moravia.

The exhibition, dedicated to the topic of the Order of the Golden Fleece, and its laureates in Moravia in the 16th to 20 century, pointing to relationships of Moravian aristocrats to Europe and their important roles in the political, military, diplomatic and cultural events. At the exhibition you will learn about not only the specific personalities of the Knights, but also their relationship to important historical events or personal life. In addition to engraving, portraits and the Orders of the Golden Fleece you can see busts, uniforms, contemporary correspondence and books. Exhibits were lent from more than 20 places.

The exhibition will take place on the second floor of Valtice Castle till October 31, 2009.

The Order of the Golden Fleece is the most prestigious and the most remarkable secular order. It was founded in Bruges in 1430 by Duke Philip III of Burgundy to celebrate his marriage to the Portuguese princess Isabel of Aviz as an association of knights organized according to the sample of spiritual knightly orders. The Order was awarded by Grand Master as an award for a merit.
A badge of the Order makes a golden lamb's skin hanging on a collar. There is a latin motto: Pretium laborum non vile - Imperceptible award for effort.
An intention of the order was maintenance of the catholic faith, a protection of churches and maintaining of purity of knightly honor.
The Order was devoted to the Virgin Mary and the patron was an apostle and martyr St. Andrew.