In the Footsteps of Aristocratic Families
Embark on a journey into the world of the Czech aristocracy and discover the stories, heritage sites, and cultural legacy of prominent noble families.
The In the Footsteps of Aristocratic Families project has been inviting visitors into the world of the aristocracy since 2011 and reveals how noble families shaped the Czech lands. In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and a number of professional institutions, the National Heritage Institute presents the lives, environments, and cultural heritage of families connected to the former lands of the Czech Crown.
Each year brings a new theme — sometimes focused on a single noble family, other times on a broader aspect of aristocratic life. Visitors can look forward to new tour routes, exhibitions, special programmes, and unique experiences at castles and chateaux across the country. The project opens the door to stories that are worth discovering.
The In the Footsteps of Aristocratic Families project carries the subtitle Travels of the Nobility in 2026. It will focus on why, where, and how members of both renowned and lesser-known noble families travelled, and how their interest in near and distant parts of the world was reflected in their lifestyle as well as in the appearance of castle and château interiors.
The Year of the Italian Nobility aimed to celebrate the cultural influences and artistic inspirations that, between the 16th and 18th centuries, reached the Czech lands together with significant noble families from the region south of the Alps. The project focused in particular on the Collalto, Colloredo, and Piccolomini families and their residences in Uherčice, Opočno, and Náchod, which became venues for a series of accompanying cultural events, including the Castle Night.
The 14th edition of the National Heritage Institute project In the Footsteps of Aristocratic Families: The Habsburgs – At Home in the Czech Lands as well presented to the public how the Habsburgs lived in Bohemia and Moravia between the 18th and 20th centuries, and how they adapted inherited or purchased residences to their tastes and interests.
Why the Harrach family? In 2023, it marked 400 years since Ernest Vojtěch of Harrach became Archbishop of Prague, and at the same time 400 years since the marriage of Isabella Kateřina of Harrach to Albrecht of Wallenstein. The year also marked 70 years since Hrádek u Nechanic Castle was opened to the public.
This summer hunting and representative residence of the Harrach family in Bohemia, along with Janovice u Rýmařova Chateau, were the main sites of the 13th edition of the In the Footsteps of Aristocratic Families project.