The House of Harrach [1] is the name of an old and influential Austro-German noble family, which was also part of the Bohemian nobility. The Grafen (Counts) of Harrach were among the most prominent families in the Habsburg Empire. As one of a small number of mediatized houses, the family belongs to the High nobility (ancient nobility).
The family first appeared in 1195 in the documents found in Ranshofen Abbey, Duchy of Bavaria. There are two main family branches — the Rohrau branch in Austria (until 1886) and the Jilemnice branch in Bohemia. They were formed by two sons of Count Karl von Harrach (1570–1628). Two branches were later founded by grandsons of Friedrich August von Harrach-Rohrau — Ernest Christopher Joseph (d. 1838) and Ferdinand Joseph (d. 1841). [2]
The family owned the following properties at various times:
Many of its members bear the title of Graf (count/earl) or Gräfin (countess). Notable members of the family are, among others:
The House of Kinsky is a prominent Czech noble family originating from the Kingdom of Bohemia. During the Thirty Years' War, the Kinsky family rose from minor nobles to comital rank (1628) and later princely status (1747) under the rule of the Habsburgs. The family, recorded in the Almanach de Gotha, is considered to have been one of the most illustrious of Austria-Hungary.
Rohrau is a village in the state of Lower Austria. The name comes from two German words: Rohr (reed) and Au. South of the village is a riparian forest and a swamp covered with reed.
The House of Schönborn is the name of an ancient noble and formerly sovereign family of the Holy Roman Empire. As a former ruling and mediatized family, it belongs to the Hochadel.
The House of Liechtenstein, from which the principality takes its name, is the family which reigns by hereditary right over the principality of Liechtenstein. Only dynastic members of the family are eligible to inherit the throne. The dynasty's membership, rights and responsibilities are defined by a law of the family, which is enforced by the reigning prince and may be altered by vote among the family's dynasts, but which may not be altered by the Government or Parliament of Liechtenstein.
Palais Harrach is a Baroque-style palace located at Freyung 3 in Vienna, Austria. It was originally owned by the noble Harrach family. The building was extensively restored and renovated in the late 1990s, and it now houses offices and shops.
Count Friedrich August von Harrach-Rohrau,, was plenipotentiary minister of the Austrian Netherlands (1732–1741) and became Governor-General ad interim in 1741–1744. He was also High Chancellor of Bohemia from 1745 until his death.
Aloys Thomas Raimund, Count von Harrach zu Rohrau was an Austrian politician and diplomat.
Hrádek u Nechanic is a 19th-century Gothic style Romantic castle near the town of Hrádek in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. In 2001 Hrádek u Nechanic was declared part of the National Cultural Heritage. The chateau is administered by the National Heritage Trust and the Ministry of Culture.
Countess Auguste von Harrach zu Rohrau und Thannhausen, Princess of Liegnitz, was the second wife of King Frederick William III of Prussia. At the time of their marriage, the House of Harrach was still not recognized as equal for dynastic purposes. Later, in 1841, a year after Frederick William's death, they were officially recognized as a mediatized family, with the style of Illustrious Highness, which allowed them to officially have equal status for marriage purposes to those reigning and royal families. Thus, in 1824 when the marriage occurred, it was treated as morganatic, so she was not named Queen, but was given the title Princess von Liegnitz and Countess von Hohenzollern. Frederick reportedly stated that he did not wish to have another queen after Queen Louise.
Joseph, 4th Prince Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau was the 4th Prince Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau.
Karl Maximilian, Prince of Dietrichstein, was a German prince member of the House of Dietrichstein, 6th Prince (Fürst) of Dietrichstein zu Nikolsburg, Princely Count of Tarasp, Baron (Freiherr) of Hollenburg, Finkenstein and Thalberg.
Nikolaus VI Graf Pálffy von Erdőd was a Hungarian nobleman, Imperial Field marshal and Palatine of Hungary.
Schloss Rohrau is a castle in the town of Rohrau in Lower Austria, bordering on Burgenland. The building houses the art collection of the counts of Harrach.
Karl von Harrach was a nobleman, statesman, and diplomat in the Holy Roman Empire. Over the course of his career, he became involved in the internal power struggle over the Holy Roman crown. In 1627, he received the Spanish version of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Franz Anton Fürst von Harrach zu Rorau was appointed coadjutor of Vienna and Titular Bishop of Epiphania in Syria in 1701, was from 1702 to 1705 Prince-Bishop of Vienna, 1705 coadjutor of Salzburg, and ruled from 1709 to 1727. He was considered one of the most notable Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg.
Oberhofmeister of the Austrian King and Emperor was the most important function at the court of the Holy Roman Emperor and the Emperor of Austria in Vienna (1804–1918). The Oberhofmeister acted as the direct head of the imperial court and household and was as such very influential.
Ferdinand Bonaventura, Count of Harrach and Rohrau was an Austrian statesman, diplomat and courtier from the noble family of Harrach, Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece and owner of estates in Austria and Bohemia. To distinguish him from his grandson of the same name, he is referred to in contemporary sources as Ferdinand Bonaventura I.
Ferdinand Bonaventura Anton von Harrach zu Rohrau und Thannhausen was an Austrian statesman, diplomat, Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece and Governor of Milan. To distinguish him from his grandfather of the same name, he is referred to in contemporary sources as Ferdinand Bonaventura II.
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