The princess in me is very excited about this exhibit that starts tomorrow right in Old Town Square at the Stone Bell House (Dum U Kamenného Zvonu), which was probably built as a palace for the royal family sometime in the 14th century. The Stone Bell House hosts temporary exhibits, and this is one that I sure won't want to miss (again, the princess inside me is very drawn to it...being royal and all!). Perhaps I was a princess in a past life.
The exhibit takes place on the 700th anniversary of John of Luxembourg's accession to the throne of Bohemia following his marriage to Czech Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia (Eliška Přemyslovna) on September 1, 1310 (the royal couple's coronation in Prague took place on February 7, 1311). On display you'll see paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, Czech royal treasure, jewelry, and my personal favorite, the bridal crown.
Eliška Přemyslovna
John of Luxembourg
I'm curious to see if I'll get a feel about their marriage as well, for you see, it wasn't a happy one. Hell, it was a disaster! Elisabeth needed to give birth to a son to prevent the inheritance of the descendants of her sisters, Margaret & Agnes. Elisabeth didn't have a son until six years into the marriage (an eternity back then, especially when inheritance is concerned) when she gave birth to Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor.
After the birth of Charles, John & Elisabeth's marriage was much better, but after a while Elisabeth grew jealous of John, who had listened to her but had different political opinions than her. In 1319, a plot was uncovered which had planned to dispose of Elisabeth & John and replace them with their eldest son, Charles. John had the culprits punished but Elisabeth locked herself away at Mělník Castle and took her children with her.
Elisabeth fleeing Prague in disguise
Mělník Castle
John decided to prevent Elisabeth from interfering in the education of their children, thus he took the three eldest, Margaret, Bonne, and Charles, from her custody...leaving her in total isolation and abandoned by all. She ended up leaving Bohemia and went to live in exile in Bavaria.
What: Royal Marriage Exhibit
Elisabeth of Bohemia and John of Luxembourg
When: Nov. 4, 2010 - February 6, 2011
Where: Stone Bell House (Dum U Kamenného Zvonu)
Staroměstské náměstí 13, Praha 1
How to get here: Metro A/B to Můstek or A to Staroměstská
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday; 10 am - 8 pm
Tickets can be purchased at Ticketpro or at the Stone Bell ticket office
The exhibition is organized by the Prague City Museum, the City Gallery Prague, and the Prague City Archives with support from Prague City Hall.
