prince's study
(banquet room)
( the designation "banquet room" dates from the romantic 19th century, the original name for this place is "prince's study")
This room takes the entire space of the 3rd storey of a building dating from between 1442 and 1472. The chimney shows the armories of John IV of Nassau-Vianden (left) and of his wife Mary of Looz-Heinsberg (right).
This house can be called NASSAU HOUSE by the date of its origin, but in 17th century documents, this room appears as the "princes' study", "new study" or "large study".
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Originally it's a living room or salon for private use of the countal family, upgraded into a study (Stube / Estuve) by the introduction of an iron stove in the year 1564. At an unknown date, the front part of the room was separated by a framework wall to form an "antichamber" to the study.
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While Vianden Castle had been the focus and main dwelling of the counts of Vianden during the high middle ages (11th - 13th century), from the 13th century on the family orientated more and more to the west, and with the integration of the Nassau family their new centre of interest & life laid in Brabant (Breda & Brussels). Vianden Castle remained a very important place to them, but they spent less time here.
Meanwhile life changed for the high nobility; the surrounding (appartments, gardens ...) became more oppulent and luxury, and they spent more time in private, away from the public. Vianden castle became an ideal retreat from the busy Brabant region, with pleasure gardens, hunting grounds, sweat bath and comfortable appartments.
windows
This was the first building of Vianden castle to receive renaissance style cross-frame windows, which then were also introduced to older buildings.
These windows were closed with stained glass panels, and on the interior side, there were shutters to be closed at night. At the outside all windows were protected by iron bars against intruders, even at this high level.
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chimney
It's the chimney which tells us when this building was constructed, with the arms of Count John IV and his wife Mary of Looz-Heinsberg (during the reign of this couple 1442 - 1472).
It's made of local grey sandstone, probably by a local mason (who carved his portrait on the left side of the edifice).
In between the armories one can see three flowers interpreted as "roses of secret", showing the room was used for confidential conferences. To the left and right there are two squires serving wine.
cupboard
This cupboard made of walnut wood and in manieristic style dates from the 17th century and is one of very few original furniture from Vianden Castle on display.
This magnificent piece of furniture was gifted by the Lambert family of Vielsalm (B) whose ancestors bought it at the time of the devastation of the place (1800 - 1820).
side table
This manieristic piece of furniture from the 17th century originates from the castle of Seckendorf (near Nuerenberg, Germany), home to the still existing family of this name. The castle was destoryed during the 30th years war.
A side table is meant to prepare food and wine to be served. Silver dishes and other valuable items are kept in it, as well as table cloths.
other furniture
- 2 brass fire racks, baroque
- chair type "Savonarola" from Florence (I), gifted by Grad-Duke John of Luxembourg
- 2 chairs of the same type, reproducions 19th century
- statue of St. Roch, french 16th - 17th century
- 6 chairs & Armchairs in 17th century style
- candelabers in 17th century style, reproductions