'My father had to take out loans with 20% revolving interest, consistently asking the banks for extensions,' the younger William said of the early days, when his father first began restoring the family's castles and artifacts. It also means appealing to donors, applying for grants from the government, and securing loans - often at sky-high interest rates. To keep everything afloat, the Lobkowiczes have generated income from things such as castle tours, the gift shop, and hosting events such as weddings and corporate retreats. In fact, some state governments and towns are auctioning off castles under their custodianship, because they don't have the cash to maintain them. Castle ownership isn't much of a novelty in Europe, and especially not in the Czech Republic, which ranks among one of the continent's top destinations for the most castles per square mile. There is also fierce competition for a limited number of grants earmarked to fund cultural heritage projects. The state has strict rules governing restoration protocols that can slow the renovation process and make it more expensive. Meanwhile, traditional philanthropy channels are running dry as museum patronage continues to fall. Nobody's going to care about these things as much as we do.'Ĭollections belonging to the Lobkowiczes have been declared Czech cultural monuments, so they can't sell any pieces to help pay to restore the rest. 'But in reality, behind the scenes, we're working tirelessly day and night to preserve and protect these things. 'You know, most people see the beautiful artworks and castles and think that this all comes incredibly easy,' Lobkowicz said from the Habsburg Room, a portrait gallery on the second floor of the palace. First by the Nazis, then by the Communists. Lobkowicz, his two sisters and their parents have dedicated their life's work to maintaining what's left of their ancestral heritage: Three castles, one palace, 20,000 movable artifacts, a library of approximately 65,000 rare books, 5,000 musical artifacts and compositions - including an early copy of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony - and 30,000 boxes and folios, some of which have never been opened. on a Friday night, Lobkowicz has to get special permission from the military guards who patrol the grounds.

Instead, they live in personal apartments a 10-minute drive away. He and his family do not live in this or any of their other ancestral homes. Personal Loans for 670 Credit Score or Lower Personal Loans for 580 Credit Score or Lower

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