Schwarzenberg, Hochadelsgeschlecht

Schwarzenberg, family of the upper nobility originally from Franconia (first document mentioned in 1172). Erkinger I von Seinsheim acquired the Franconian dukedom of S. and the title of Baron of S. between 1405/1421, the family became counts between 1566/1599 and imperial princes in 1671. The S. family inherited large estates from the Eggenberg family in Bohemia, Styria and Carniola; until 1918 their main seat was at Česky Krumlov, Czech Republic (then Böhmisch-Krumlau). The family split into two lines in the late 18th century, one of which died out in 1965 with Heinrich S., the eleventh prince. The second line descends from Prince Karl I in Austria (Murau and Vienna). Important members of the dynasty: Prince Felix of Schwarzenberg, Prince Friedrich of Schwarzenberg (military officer), Prince Friedrich of Schwarzenberg (cardinal), Karl Schwarzenberg, Prince Karl Philipp of Schwarzenberg.

S. Palace in the third district of Vienna was built by J. L. von Hildebrandt from 1697-1704 as Mansfeld-Fondi Palace. Prince Adam Franz of S. acquired it in 1716 and it was completed by J. B. Fischer von Erlach and J. E. Fischer von Erlach. It contains a fresco by D. Gran, as well as a riding school and orangery according to plans by A. Altomonte. The palace was badly damaged in 1945. Today it houses the Swiss embassy and parts of it are a hotel.