House of Koháry

Beginnings of the Family

Coat of Arms of the Koháry Family

The history of the family began in the 16th century with Imrich Koháry, a simple nobleman, and ended with Prince Franz Joseph Koháry in the 19th century. The rise and glory of the Koháry family started in Krupina and Čabraď Castle, where Imrich Koháry served as vice-captain and later commander. His son, Peter Koháry (1564–1629), became a soldier and gained fame for the family through his heroic deeds in the anti-Turkish wars.

He began as a deputy notary in the Hont County but later exchanged office for the battlefield and became vice-captain of Nové Zámky. Peter Koháry fought at Esztergom under the command of Archduke Matthias of Habsburg, later Emperor Matthias. His bravery and heroic deeds earned him the emperor's favor.

In 1616, he was granted the title of Baron, and in 1622 he received the Čabraď-Sitno estate in pledge, becoming its rightful owner in 1629. This laid the foundation for the Koháry family's future wealth. His son, Štefan I. Koháry, inherited the estates and continued the military tradition. In 1657, he became the hereditary commander of Fiľakovo Castle and, in 1661, the chief magistrate of Hont County.

In 1664, when the Turks invaded Hungary with a 200,000-strong army, Emperor Leopold I entrusted Štefan I. with leading the army, commanding him to reclaim every captured fortress and defeat the Turkish forces. The Battle of Levice proved fatal for him. On July 14, 1664, Baron Štefan I. Koháry died a heroic death.

Štefan II. Koháry

Štefan II. Koháry

The estates passed to Štefan II. Koháry (1649–1731), the eldest son, who was just 15 at his father's death. He studied at the Jesuit College in Trnava and theology in Vienna, where he earned a doctorate. Despite choosing a military career, he remained true to his philosophy of life - "for God and the Emperor." At 18, he became the commander of the Pre-Danube forces.

As the hereditary captain of Fiľakovo Castle, he had its walls repaired in 1672, anticipating their need in the coming years. During his command, an uprising led by Imre Thököly broke out. In 1678, Štefan II. successfully repelled the attacks of Turkish and Kuruc forces. Four years later, Thököly returned to Fiľakovo with Turkish reinforcements.

Štefan II.'s men could no longer withstand the superior forces and capitulated. Thököly captured Štefan II., whose strong faith helped him survive the inhumane prison conditions. He was freed in 1685 after the Turks' defeat. After his tribulations, he was awarded the highest honors by the emperor, including the hereditary title of Count, the position of hereditary chief magistrate of Hont County, and the rank of Field Marshal. He died at Čabraď Castle at 82 and is buried in the family tomb at the Hronský Beňadik monastery.

Like him, his brothers also participated in the anti-Turkish wars. His brother Ján was imprisoned with him, and his brother Wolfgang died in Croatia. Two of Wolfgang's sons also lost their lives in the anti-Turkish wars.

The Last Koháry

Franz Joseph Koháry

The history of the Koháry family ends with Franz Joseph Koháry (1766–1826), who lived in a period free from Turkish invasions. Therefore, he chose a bureaucratic rather than a military career.

He became a royal court chancellor, a privy councilor, and the president of the Hungarian Royal Chamber. He was also the chief magistrate of Hont County. He was awarded the Order of the Golden Fleece and the Golden Cross. In 1815, he received the title of Prince. As he had no male heirs, the Koháry family line ended with him. The last male descendant of the Koháry family, Franz Joseph, died in 1826, bringing the history of his illustrious ancestors to a close.

The Coburgs

Maria Antonia Gabriela Koháry

The only daughter of Franz Joseph, Maria Antonia Gabriela (1797–1862), married Ferdinand George Coburg (1785–1851), a member of a German princely family, in 1816. The Koháry family joined with the Coburg family.

The manor in Svätý Anton became the property of the Coburgs.