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'Schwarzenberg' () is the name of a Frankish and Bohemian aristocratic family which was first mentioned in 1172. A branch of the Seinsheim family (the non-Schwarzenberg portion later died out) created when Erkinger I of Seinshein acquired in 1405/21, the Frankish barony of Schwarzenberg, the castle Schwarzenberg and the title Baron of Schwarzenberg. At this time they also possessed some fiefdoms in Bohemia. In 1599 the Schwarzenbergs were elevated to Counts and in 1670 to Princes. The House of Schwarzenberg came into extensive land holdings in Bohemia in 1661 through a marriage alliance with the House of Eggenberg. In the 1670s, they established their primary seat in Bohemia. Until 1918 their primary residence was in Český Krumlov, Bohemia (now in the Czech Republic).
The House of Schwarzenberg produced many exceptional military commanders, politicians, church dignitaries (including an Archbishop of Prague), innovators and patrons of the Arts. Their property in Bohemia included the Duchy of Krumlov ( or ''Krummau''), Prachatice and Orlík belonged. They also acquired property of the Rosenberger Family (). They created ponds, planted forests and introduced new technologies in agriculture. They were related to a number of European aristocratic families, notably to the Lobkowicz family.
The famous General and Field Marshal, Prince Karl Philipp I of Schwarzenberg, was from this illustrious family.
The Schwarzenberg holdings included the following castles:

★ Schloß Schwarzenberg by Scheinfeld, Bavaria

★ Krumlov Castle (in Český Krumlov, Czech Republic, held by the Schwarzenbergs from 1719 to 1947)

★ Hluboká Castle (, in Hluboká nad Vltavou, Czech Republic)

★ Vimperk Castle (Vimperk / Winterberg, Czech Republic)
In the 18th century, the House of Schwarzenberg was divided into two titled lines. One line died out in the male line in 1965 with Heinrich Schwarzenberg, the 11th Prince of Schwarzenberg. The second line was established with Prince Karl I of Schwarzenberg in Austria (Murau and Vienna). Today the two lines are united under the current head of the house Prince Karl VII of Schwarzenberg who is foreign minister in the new Czech cabinet.

Contents

Lords of Schwarzenberg

Barons of Schwarzenberg

Counts of Schwarzenberg

Princes of Schwarzenberg

Heads of the House of Schwarzenberg

External links

Lords of Schwarzenberg

Barons of Schwarzenberg

★ 1420–37: Erkinger I

★ 1437–69: Michael II

★ 1469–99: Michael III

★ 1499–1510: Erkinger II

★ 1510–26: Wilhelm I

★ 1526–57: Wilhelm II

★ 1557–99: Adolf, count until 1600
''In 1599, the barony was raised to an Imperial county.''

Counts of Schwarzenberg

★ 1599–1600: Adolf, baron since 1557

★ 1600–41 Adam I

★ 1641–70: Johann Adolf I
''On 14 July 1670, the county was raised to an Princely county and, the following year, to a Princely landgraviate.''

Princes of Schwarzenberg

★ 1670–83: Johann Adolf I

★ 1683–1703: Ferdinand Wilhelm Eusebius

★ 1703–32: Adam II Franz Karl

★ 1732–82: Joseph I Adam

★ 1782–89: Johann II

★ 1789–1833: Joseph II

★ 1833–88: Johann Adolf II

★ 1888–1914: Adolf Joseph

★ 1914–18: Johann II

Heads of the House of Schwarzenberg

★ 1918–38: Johann II

★ 1938–50: Adolf — childless; adopted his younger cousin, Joseph III, son of his brother, Heinrich, Duke of Krumau

★ 1950–79: Joseph III

★ 1979–''present'': Karl VII

External links

★ Family tree of the House of Schwarzenberg

★ Pictorial family tree

★ Coat of arms of the House of Schwarzenberg