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Ernst Adalbert von Harrach

1598 – 1667

Austrian Catholic cardinal

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About Ernst Adalbert von Harrach

Lived 1598 – 1667 (aged 68). Ernst Adalbert von Harrach was an Austrian catholic priest, patron of the arts and catholic bishop.

Count Ernst Adalbert of Harrach (; ; 4 November 1598 – 25 October 1667) was an Austrian Catholic Cardinal who was appointed Archbishop of Prague and Prince-Bishop of Trento.

Life Early life Ernst Adalbert of Harrach was born 4 November 1598 in Vienna, Archduchy of Austria, Holy Roman Empire as the son of Count Karl von Harrach and Maria Elisabeth von Schrattenbach. He was educated by Nikolaus Walther and was later, thanks to his family's connection to Italian aristocratic families including the Borghese and Barberini, admitted to the Collegio Teutonico in 1616.

In 1621 he was ordained a priest at age 22. He became Archbishop of Prague in 1623.

As primate to the Kingdom of Bohemia

Adalbert von Harrach was arrested at his palace when the Swedish took over a section of Prague in the precursor conflict to the Battle of Prague and lost a significant part of his wealth. He was eventually released after intercession by cardinal Jules Mazarin before Queen Christina of Sweden, with 15,000 écus and a letter written by him promising not to take revenge for Adalbert von Harrach's losses.

He visited Rome rarely; so much so that when he did in 1643, Pope Urban VIII is said to have considered it a bad omen (as the cardinal would only otherwise have visited had the pope died, requiring a papal conclave).

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Positions held
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal, Roman Catholic Bishop of Trento, Grand Master of Knights of the Cross with the Red Star

People in Ernst Adalbert von Harrach's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ernst Adalbert von Harrach's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Ernst Adalbert von Harrach?

Austrian Catholic cardinal (1598-1667)

When was Ernst Adalbert von Harrach born?

Ernst Adalbert von Harrach was born on 4 November 1598 in Vienna.

When did Ernst Adalbert von Harrach die?

Ernst Adalbert von Harrach died on 25 October 1667 in Vienna.

What was Ernst Adalbert von Harrach's occupation?

Ernst Adalbert von Harrach was a catholic priest, patron of the arts and catholic bishop.

What nationality was Ernst Adalbert von Harrach?

Ernst Adalbert von Harrach was Austrian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ernst Adalbert von Harrach

· Wikidata: Q24567

· DBpedia: Ernst Adalbert of Harrach

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ernst Adalbert von Harrach. https://biography.guide/ernst-adalbert-von-harrach/

MLA: "Ernst Adalbert von Harrach." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ernst-adalbert-von-harrach/.

Chicago: "Ernst Adalbert von Harrach." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ernst-adalbert-von-harrach/.

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