The house of Liechtenstein ranks among the most significant aristocratic dynasties of European history, writes Harald Wanger.

The name appeared for the first time in the second half of the 12th century in Lower Austria. The estates of the family were at that time located for the large part north of the Danube. It was in Moravia that Heinrich I. received the reign of Nikolsburg from the margrave Przemysl Ottokar and later relocated his residency there. The family then renamed itself «Liechtenstein von Nikolsburg». Through skilled diplomacy the descendants succeeded in obtaining leading political positions under the reigning Habsburgs and secured their reputation through the acquisition of more important estates. Of particular importance for the ascendancy of the house of Liechtenstein is Karl (1569-1627). After a meteoric political career he was ennobled as a hereditary prince in 1608. The acquisition of the duchies of Troppau (1614) and Jägerndorf (1622) brought the family the prestige of dukedom. Karl Eusebius (1611-1684), who had inherited a number of works of art from his father, is regarded as the founder of the splendid art collections still existing today. The still elusive honour of prince of the empire was secured by Hans Adam I. (1657-1712) for himself through the purchase of the imperial-free dominion provinces of Schellenberg (1699) and Vaduz (1712). In 1719 they were unified to the imperial principality of Liechtenstein, an act of the recognition of Emperor Karl VI. for his former tutor and companion Anton Florian (1656-1721). An equally significant personality was Prince Josef Wenzel (1696-1772). Prince Josef Wenzel was followed by his nephew Franz Josef I. (1726-1781), who left behind an only child, Alois I. (1759-1805). With Johann I. (1760-1836), the more or less matter-of-course involvement of the House of Liechtenstein for the Holy Roman Empire was once again aroused. After the Holy Roman Empire was toppled in 1806, Napoleon incorporated the Principality of Liechtenstein into the Rhine League - without the acquiescence of the prince. However, the Rhine League was disbanded only 7 years later, and the Principality of Liechtenstein joined the German League after the Congress of Vienna in 1815, until this was also disbanded in 1866. After the death of his father Johann I., Alois II. (1769-1858) assumed responsibility for the reign of the principality. After him, there came his son Johann II. (1840-1929). Because he remained unmarried, his brother Franz I. (1853-1938) took over the reign of the principality. The deteriorating state of health of the 85 year old prince Franz I. led to the reign of the principality being transferred to his great nephew Prince Franz Josef in 1938, who reigned over the country as Prince Franz Josef II. (1906-1989), and, in 1938, was the first prince to establish his residency in Vaduz. With wise restraint, he understood the necessity to work towards the unity and preservation of the state. His wedding to Countess Georgine (Gina) of Wilczek in 1943 was the first marriage of a sovereign in Vaduz. Towards the end of the Second World War, the prince managed to bring the art collections into safety by transferring it to Vaduz.