Hrobka Haugviců Building

Welcome to the Town of Celebration. Right now, you're facing one of the very quiet and dignified places in this city. In front of you is the family tomb of the Haugvice. If you look at her for the first time, you might be interested in her calm strength and sobriety. It is a place that was created for eternal rest, and it is this sense of peace that radiates from it. Stop for a moment, take a breath and let the atmosphere of this historic space surround you, which today is an important part of the city's cultural promenade.

Now let's look at how this building came into being and why it actually stands here. The tomb was built in the first decade of the nineteenth century, namely between eight hundred twenty-two and eight hundred twenty-five. At that time, it was a tribute to the ancestors and a symbol of the status of the mighty Earl of Haugvice. They wanted to have a place where their family ties would survive death. The project was taken up by the Vienna builder Josef Kornhäusel, who put his experience and taste into the work. The result is an object that was ahead of its time and still seems very elegant.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself. Look carefully at the overall design of the construction. Note that the tomb has a square plan, which gives it a sense of stability and balance. In front of the main part is a rectangular hall, which serves as a transition from the outside world to a space of silence. The whole style of the construction is inspired by Greek and Roman antiques, which was at that time a very popular direction which highlighted the purity of lines and harmony. If you look at the facade, notice the sober decorative elements. These are the so-called grave motives that inconspicuously resemble the passing of life and the inevitable of the end, but at the same time make the building a real work of art.

When we think about the people associated with this place, we remember names like Bedřich Vilém z Haugvic or Jindřich Vilém Haugvic. It was these men of the earths who made up the history of this family and their fates are stored in these walls. It's interesting to see how time has stopped in this tomb, but at the same time how construction works with it. Even after many decades, the site remains relevant. An example is the year one thousand nine hundred ninety-five when Karl Antonín hrabě Haugwitz was buried in the family tomb. This shows us that this tomb is not just a museum piece from the past, but it still serves as a final resting place for family members.

Now I'm going to allow you to capture something that you can't see from the outside at first sight, but that creates the soul of this place. Although the exterior makes the building very sober, its inner space hides real treasures. In the interior there are marble sculptures that came from the workshop Josef Klieber. Imagine the subtle details of marble that create contrast in the silence of the tomb to the cold stone. In addition, there are two figures of pietech, which represent sadness and deep pain, which is a very powerful symbolic element in the secular architecture. It's fascinating how in one building, strict ancient geometry from the outside connects to a deep emotional expression inside.

For the tomb to look as you see it today, it must have gone through time and care. In the year one thousand nine hundred ninety-four the roof was repaired, which was essential for maintaining the entire building before the weather. Thanks to such interventions, the tomb is now recognised as a cultural monument, which means that the state and the city recognise its irreplaceable value for our history and culture.

Now, if you look at this building again, think of it as a bridge between centuries. From Viennese architect Kornhäusel to Count Haugvice to today's visitors who come here to seek peace and inspiration. It's a place where art, faith and family tradition meet.

Let's close this stop slowly. I hope you've found a moment to think and that architecture and stories connected with the Haugvice tomb have attracted you. This place is just one of the many jewels Náměšť nad Oslavou has to offer. I invite you now to explore the city's cultural promenade, where you will have other interesting sights and stories. We wish you a pleasant continued walk and a beautiful day spent in our city. Goodbye.