A bit of rain did not dampen the spirits of over a hundred local and international guests gathered to celebrate the ceremonial opening of the restored Dubsky family tomb and chapel in Zdislavice near Kroměříž – the final resting place of the famous 19th century writer Maria von Ebner-Eschenbach.

Special thanks go to those who travelled from afar: Catherine Leonard, Secretary General of INTO (International National Trusts Organisation) from London; Jan Brunner, Deputy Czech Ambassador to Austria; Stephan Rutkowski, Deputy Austrian Ambassador to the Czech Republic; Mag. Georg Störger, Honorary Austrian Consul in Brno; Michaela Kubíková from the Slovak National Trust; Robert Miles, Director of the renowned Cliveden estate in England and Kateřina Šrámková and Francesco Kinsky dal Borgo, president and board member of the Association of Non-State Open Monuments (ANOPA). Other attendees included representatives from municipal institutions in Kroměříž, mayors of nearby municipalities, and members of the local government, including the MAS action group.

The day‘s programme was organised in collaboration with the Czech National Trust (CNT) and Zdislavice château, which has historical ties to the tomb.

The first part took place in the château’s fresco hall, restored by the expert painter Peter Stirber who received the 2025 Patrimonium pro futuro award for this work.

Participants enjoyed a lecture on the importance of involving local communities in heritage preservation, an engaging story about the history of the château, the tomb, and their famous inhabitants, followed by a musical performance.

Everyone then proceeded to the tomb for the ceremonial opening, followed by a guided tour of the tomb and chapel, featuring a magnificent fresco ceiling, which has also been restored by Peter Stirber.  After the tour, a reception was held in the château grounds.

The full-day programme concluded with an evening in the historic wine cellar of Kroměříž château, where, at the invitation of the ANOPA association, guests raised a glass of Moravian wine.

We thank everyone for their support, without whom the project would not have been possible, and we look forward to further cooperation. The next stage of the project will bring much-needed facilities for visitors and volunteers who will help with the maintenance of the tomb, chapel and park. The facilities will be created by transforming the frame of a former greenhouse into a building that will serve as a tourist information centre and a place for community and educational activities.

The tomb will be open to the public from November 2025 to March 2026, on request and during events announced on the website and social networks. More information here.