The Via Habsburg, or “In the Footsteps of the Habsburgs” Association, was founded in 2001 by French, German, Swiss, and Austrian partners with the aim of preserving the artistic and cultural heritage of the 800-year-old Habsburg family. The organisation seeks to cooperate with institutions that have a connection with this historical dynasty. It brings together 70 member institutions, mostly museums in castles, palaces, monasteries, and other buildings that were once the residences of the Habsburg family or were built by them. It supports cultural tourism, promotes the preservation of historical memory, and facilitates and encourages research on the Habsburg family. In 2014, the Via Habsburg was certified as a “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” in recognition of the work of the Association in Europe.
The Royal Palace of Gödöllő was the first in Hungary to join the Via Habsburg Association network on 13 October 2023, an event attended by our Foundation as well. At that time, the plan was formulated to organise a conference in collaboration with the respective institutions this autumn. As a result, an international symposium entitled “Exceptional Women and their Role in the Habsburg Family” was held on 7-8 November. The Austrian and Hungarian speakers, as well as a large number of interested guests, could listen to a lecture by Gergely Fejérdy, Deputy Scientific Director of our Foundation, titled “The Role of Queen Zita in the Upbringing of Otto von Habsburg and his siblings”, and to a presentation by our colleague Bence Kocsev on the life and legacy of Princess Regina of Saxe-Meiningen, wife of Otto von Habsburg.
The day following the conference, the members of the Via Habsburg Association, led by President Reinhold Sahl, and the speakers of the symposium visited our Foundation. After introducing them to the heritage of Otto von Habsburg, we discussed possibilities for cooperation with the Association’s Vienna and Salzburg members.
Photos: Otto von Habsburg Foundation, Royal Palace of Gödöllő
