European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 12, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Two horses clop past an old Tower putting a Beer cart and its Driver along a regular delivery route. Old czech town retains its Bohemian past continued from Page 3 Beer is delivered to the Village s 32 pubs. Kegs of brow Are toted to pubs by horse drawn wagons and visitors can expect to encounter these clipping couriers on their daily roads. An interesting footnote is that two years ago before the velvet revolution routed out the communist government the town had Only nine pubs. The own sits in a Valley below the Sec Ond largest Castle in Bohemia. Official records list the Vitkover family members of the czech nobility As the first owners in the kith Century. Its most Well known inhabitants however were members of the Rosenberg family which gained control Over the Region during the next Century. The family reigned for nearly 300 years until i 602, wielding tremendous political influence Quot they held the biggest properly in middle1 Europe Quot says museum director Pavel Slavko. Quot it was one seventh of the whole czech their holdings included 18 Large communities 34 Small towns and 750 villages he says. Some1 100,000 serfs were under their control. Quot they were very progressive Quot Slavko says. Quot As a result of this progressiveness they had better living standards than other places in Bohemia. They were even willing to let people Start their own Slavko says historical records refer to this time As Quot a Golden Quot for example taxes were Only 10 to 20 percent of the gain. Normally taxes were 60 to 80 percent of the gains a he says. Quot in the records there Are complaints from other Mobilities that life Here was too easy. Plenty of peasants had More Golden rings and brooches than the lower nobility in other the House of Rosenberg was superseded by the Eggenberg the by buoys and the princes of St he Auzenbergs. Today the Castle composed of 42 buildings five i courtyards and hundreds of rooms belongs to the state1. The different building styles of gothic Renaissance and baroque have All left their imprint on both the Castle and its furnishings. Visitors can View the furnished rooms on two separate one hour Tours. The furniture and paintings Are original and in Pristine condition. Throughout the Castle All lighting is also original. Translator guides Are available for a slight fee. The Castle May be closed for the Winter but it is not napping. Slavko and a 23-member Crew Are kept Busy with time consuming restoration work. Slavko said the Castle Library with its 40,000 volumes will soon Bea handful of visitors wander through the main Square. The town Hall adjoins the building at right. Stripes Magazine december 12, 1991
