Revival of Rosenberg family

The 400th anniversary of the death of the last male descendant of the Rosenberg family, of Petr Vok, will fall on the year 2011.

The Rosenberg family was the most significant and influential Bohemian noble family playing important role in Czech medieval history from 13th century till 1611. This branch of Vítkovci clan was initially founded by Vítek III, the son of Vítek of Prčice. Their coat of arms and emblems were represented by a five-petalled rose in a varicoloured desing, which is still often seen in a considerable part of the South Bohemia, where Rosenbergs settled their castles.

Two major exhibitions in Prague, exhibitions of South-Bohemian museums, festivals and theatre performances of South-Bohemian towns and villages will remind the heritage of this family all the year round. The project “Rosenberg Year 2011” aims to introduce the historical role and the cultural work of the Rosenberg family to the public and explain main features of this legacy to the present. The project was initiated by the National Heritage Institute as a manager of former residences of Rosenberg family - Rosenberg Castle, Cesky Krumlov Castle, Trebon Chateau and Kratochvile Chateau in order to commemorate this important family.

The exhibition entitled “The Year of Rose” will start in Rosenberg Palace at Prague Castle in December this year and will last until the end of 2011. The history of the Rosenberg family recorded in historical documents, literary texts and photos will make the main part of the exhibition, and will show main places and residences connected with this family. Period paintings and portraits will present the genealogy of the family in an improvised picture gallery. Visitors wil be welcomed by Petr Vok of Rosenberg in a period dress and they can also look on the Rosenberg dining room or listen Rosenberg music.

An exposition of the information centre will bring near the attractiveness of the South Bohemian region. Here visitors will receive tips for trips in the Southern Bohemia, Rosenberg passport, a calendar of cultural events and a commemorative coin, which will serve as a discount coupon for admission to some of the Rosenberg castles.

Another exhibition is preparing for the Waldstein Riding School in Prague by the National Heritage Institute in collaboration with other cultural institutions. The exhibition entitled "The Rosenbergs, family of Czech magnates and its journey through history” will be opened in May 2011.

The Rosenberg Year will be complemented with other festivals and cultural and educational projects in the South Bohemia region and with a modification of tours in the former residences of Rosenberg – Rosenberg Castle, Cesky Krumlov Castle, Trebon Chateau, Kratochvile Chateau and Nove Hrady Castle.