BEGINING OF BREEDING OF EXOTIC ANIMALS (PERIOD BEFORE ROYAL GARDEN)
• Ottokar II of Bohemia (reigned 1253 - 1278), Wenceslas II of
Bohemia (reigned 1278 - 1305) - The first written reports about breeding
of exotic animals in the Czech Lands
A breeding of lions was the common denominator of many Czech kings - the
first written evidence of lions breeding in the Czech lands is from
1280. Back then a Venetian contractor was dunning Wenceslas II of
Bohemia for payment the debt for a couple of lions, which ordered the
Queen Mother Kunigunda of Slavonia (widow of Ottokar II of Bohemia).
However lions were kept by the Czech rulers surely sooner. They are an
official symbol of Czech kings since the 13th century.
First animals, about which evidence exist, were at Prague castle during
the reign of Wenceslas II of Bohemia - probably, however, they descended
already from the era of reign of Ottokar II of Bohemia
• 1305 - 1378 (Wenceslas III of Bohemia, Henry IV of Carinthia,
Rudolf I of Habsburg, John the Blind, Charles IV)
It is not clear what was then - during the reign of Wenceslas III and of
other rulers. If they kept some animals, it was probably just the
popular lions. Before the birth of Charles IV the Prague Castle burned
down and was uninhabitable. I.e. that the other known collection of
animals at the Prague Castle - a collection of Charles IV (1316 - 1378),
had to be established just by this ruler. Charles IV kept mainly lions
(also introduced a special function Custos leonum - "lionmaster"), but
he had also other cats, perhaps birds and big snakes (probably Pythons).
• Wencelsals IV (reigned 1378 - 1419) - King's Court - the first
real menagerie
After Charles IV, his son Wenceslas IV succeeds to the throne. He
apparently took over the his father's menagerie, but subsequently moved
also with the animals to the newly built King's Court, where more
increased his menagerie. (see. Královský dvůr)
• 1419 - 1526 (Sigismund of Luxemburg, Albert the Magnanimous, Ladislaus
the Posthumous, George of Poděbrady, Matthias Corvinus, Vladislaus II of
Bohemia and Hungary, Louis II of Hungary)
The menagerie at the King's Court persisted apparently as long as it was
the royal residence. Messages emerge only sporadically - more or less in
connection with some accident - the last is from 1477. The Prague Castle
was more than 100 years out of event. It became to be the seat of Czech
kings again in 1484, when Vladislaus II returned there. No reports about
any menagerie of his era and the era of Louis II are not available.
ROYAL GARDEN
• Ferdinand I (reigned 1526 - 1564) - Establishment og the Royal
Garden
The famous Royal Garden was founded by Ferdinand I in 1534, when he
bought three vineyards immediately adjacent to the current royal garden
- by that, he significantly expanded the present garden and the already
existing menagerie (it is not clear whether was established by Ferdinand
I during the first 8 years of his reign, or whether it has existed after
his predecessors - i.e. Ladislaus II or Louis II).
• Maximilian II (reigned 1564 - 1576) - the first pavilion of
beasts of prey "Wooden court"
Son of Ferdinand I, Maximilian II, was a great lover of animals and so
it is no wonder that continued in the breeding. According to the extant
letter, he asked the Duke of Parma to send a few pairs of wild horses
(apparently tarpans) and other animals for his menagerie. Just he gave
to build in 1560 a large two-story building full of pens with paddocks -
so called Wooden Court. Maximilian II kept, in addition to various
predators, also numbers of birds, large reptiles and "various exotic
animals."
 •
Rudolf II (reigned 1579 - 1611) - the golden era of Prague menagerie
Rudolf II was known not only as a somewhat eccentric monarch, but also
as a great collector and admirer of everything possible and impossible -
so that also of animals. In 1583 he gave to rebuilt by architect Ulrico
Aostallis the original wooden pavilion to set of low buildings - the
famous Lion Court (later renamed to Bear Court) - heated pens of animal
with enclosures and beside them a high wall with a gallery for
spectators, where they came up the spiral staircase. Rudolf extended the
Royal Gardens, established a pheasantry and ponds for breeding of fish
and water birds, deer enclosures in today's Deer Moat ... Brick and
wooden pens stretched along the northern slope of Deer Moat up to the
King's summer residence.
1601, in the pheasantry near Lion court, he built also "aviary for
Amerindian bird" - heated little-house with two small rooms. It was
designed by Orazio "Guido" Fontana and decorated with frescos by
Bartoloměj Beránek called Jelínek (who was on duty of Petr Vok of
Rožmberk).
Also Deer parks Hvězda and Ovenec (today's Stromovka) were under the
Prague Castle. In the time of Rudolf's II reign, they changed from
hunting game fields more to parks - among other with animals. Thus the
menagerie was arranged even in three places. In Ovenec were red and roe
deer, elk, perhaps also reindeer, wild boars, horses, wisents, buffalo,
aurochs (!), foxes and probably many
other animals. In the Hvězda there were reportedly even also antelopes
or gazelles and in 1592 also 12 lions with Indian keeper.
Rudolf II bred many animals in these three places. Not about all we
know. We have reports about lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, bears,
civets, wolves, foxes, camels, deer, wild boars, antelopes, gazelles, wisents,
aurochs, buffalos, "Indian donkey", "Indian
calf", horses, ostriches, cassowary, pelicans, flamingos, white gyrfalcons, eagles and other raptors,
parrots, hummingbirds, guinea fowls, turkeys, large reptiles ...
According to the unconfirmed reports, Rudolf II had even orang-utan and
(or) chimpanzee and elephant. 1599, there was reportedly born first lion in Czech
lands.
Very known, although not certified, is breeding of Muritian dodo bird at the Prague Castle. His bones were found during the
alterations of the Deer Moat (they are in the National Museum now).
Another fact, which shows this breeding it is painting of excellent
Flemish painter Roelant Savery. Savery was drafted by Rudolf II in 1604
and became his court painter. It is known that Savery often stayed in
the Rudolf's menagerie and painted the animals - one of his most famous
paintings is just painting of dodo bird (and it is not known where else
Savery could see this bird). A similar case concern also to cassowary -
Savery reputedly could see it either in the Amsterdam port (when sailors
brought it as an attraction), or more likely in the menagerie of Rudolf
II. Others cassowary were not known at that time in Europe. Also other
paintings of Savery had to originated reprotedly in Prague - pictures of
animals, which all the Europe didn't know at the time, and if anyone
could have them, so allegedly the only Rudolf II. - "New Guinean rare
parrots", red rails (newly also Muritian flying fox was found on
the paintings)... Art historians claim that the vast
majority of the approximately 250 Savery's paintings of animals are
dated to his stay in Prague or was painted later, however, according to
sketches made in Prague.
Rudolf's menagerie was soon known throughout Europe as well as his
passion for animals. Rulers who came to gain favor with the emperor,
took him many gifts - often just animals. For example, Moscow Grand Duke
Feodor Ivanovich (son of Ivan the Terrible) gave to Rudolf besides the
leopards and other animals also two white gyrfalcons, which was at that
time considered as extremely rare birds, and therefore one of the most
precious gifts. Notorious is the story of a lion, which the Emperor
received as a gift from the Turkish sultan. Lion named Mohamed had an
astrological constellation very similar to Rudolf's. Tycho Brahe
supposedly read in the stars, that the emperor will have a similar fate
as the lion Mohamed, that he'll die at the same time (this is written
also in the chronicles of the time), so the lion enjoyed superior care.
And indeed, the emperor Rudolf II died a few days (about 3) after the
death of the lion.
According to another legend of Rudolf's menagerie (recorded in
chronicles in 1600) the poet Friedrich Schiller wrote a poem "Little
glove", which was later rewritten by Josef Jungman... The nobility went
to see the feeding of lions, among others also some beautiful but proud
lady-in-waiting, who always refused suitors and could not choose. Knight
Vojislav fell in love to this beautiful Kunigunda's noblewoman, and took
part in feeding lions together with her. The glove of lady-in-waiting
slippeds or she intentionally thrown it between lions and invited the
knight to bring back her the glove. According to the poems the knight
made it, brought back the glove, threw it in the face of the lady and
left her. In fact, the end of the story was much more romantic according
to chronicle... Noblewoman turned pale, fell unconscious and immediately
became enthusiastic by the love for the knights ... (the whole text of
the poem in Old Czech language
here).
Interesting facts are also about keepers of lions... Strong men, who
cared for the imperial lions were women... Known were three: Ludmila
Nebeská, after her, her daughter Otýlie and the most famous Laurenciana
Pylmannová. Care for the lions was very lucrative - the salary was
higher than in some offices and services of the Royal Court. Mrs.
Laurenciana owned a representative house (at Vlašská Street), which was
exempt from all taxes and fees. She getting a new clothes every year and
enjoyed extraordinary favor of the Emperor - she was a frequent guest at
his magnificent feasts. Laurenciana tamed the lion Mohammed so much that
he followed her like a dog, she rode on him throughout the menagerie or
let him to jump through a hoops.
Also the regulation of Rudolf II about feeding meat is known - according
to that regulation Jews from the Old-Town Ghetto had to give two pounds
(about a kilogram) of fresh beef or veal daily to each beast of prey.
Also several tragedies caused by predators is recorded in writing - from
the attack, despite crippling to killing people.
1611 - 1740 (Matthias of Austria, Ferdinand II, Frederick V,
Ferdinand III, Ferdinand IV, Leopold I, Joseph I, Charles VI) -
dilapidation and finish of the menagerie
Rudolf II didn't have a successor (only illegitimate children), and
after his death (1612), the fame of menagerie slowly faded. Matthias II
(younger brother of Rudolf II) moved to Vienna as a Roman emperor and
Prague menagerie has not played a significant role for him. Even when it
was so-so maintained - perhaps even during reign of Ferdinand II (who
created here a small roofed pool with ornamental fish), but
during reign of other rulers already have decayed significantly. Also
information about the menagerie is not so quantity from this period as
in the time of Rudolf II. We know that Leopold I got two Indian tigers
from King of Prussia in 1660, that in 1680, only bears and wolves there
lived, than also foxes and wild cats, but ten years later, only one bear. In the 1695 it is recorded an
interest of the Czech Chamber of buying a tiger, "man-eater" and "sea
wolf" from Amsterdam merchant with travelling menagerie, Oestmayer. But
the purchase was not realized. Only several eagles, two lynxes, two bear cubs and
two rhesus macaques were moved to the menagerie.
In 1740, the Prague Menagerie finally ceases - the last animals
(including bears) are transferred somewhere to Děčínn. Another its
"affiliates" - Deer Parks Hvězda and Ovenec has not served as a
menagerie at that time for many years. Larger menagerie in Ovenec disappeared
after death of Rudolf II (1612). The Hvězda
has been plagued by numerous battles and wars since its inception. It
was also the scene of the Battle of White Mountain (1620), what meant
probably also the finish of the local menagerie (if was not abolished
also already after death of Rudolf II).
The Prague menagerie in the Royal Garden is often referred to as the
first real zoo, although officially it is the Vienna Zoo (Tiergarten
Schönbrunn). The Prague menagerie was at least 218 years older and
greatly differed from other aristocratic menageries. While monarchs
throughout Europe built a menagerie as a demonstration of wealth and
power, Rudolf II had the menagerie for his collector's passion and
fondness for animals. Ordinary aristocratic menagerie was built very
ostentatious way - with the primary aim to amaze other rulers. The
animals were de facto only accessory ostentatious buildings. In the case
of Rudolf II, it was the on the contrary - animals were primal, the pomp
of the breeding facilities was not so much that important. Also
composition of animals species corresponds with that... All rulers kept
common animals - species that simply look good and especially well
represented power of ruler. While Rudolf kept any animals, the more rare
the better. The less known the better. It was not significant whether
the animal looks attractive. Also in case of many species of Prague
menagerie, it was European first-breeding. Often it concerned for
animals, which were not anywhere else in Europe.
Aristocratic menageries were closed to the public. The exception was not
even Rudolf. But Rudolf occasionally (though rarely) made accessible his
menagerie to common people for a short time - he organized de facto sort
of Renaissance "open days". The deer parks (especially Ovenec) allegedly
used to be open even for a longer period.
The greatest difference between Rudolf's and other menageries was in the
professionalism... As already noted, the animals were for all rulers
mainly essential accessories of menagerie. However, Rudolf II was known
to his nearly fanatical obsession with research and exploration of all
kinds. He employed not only famous alchemists, astrologers etc., but
also hired experts for everything related to the menagerie - from
architects (for the building) across the explorers up to the keepers.
Among other things, for this reason he called the aforementioned painter
Savery, who had not only paint the animals, but also to observed them.
It is known that Rudolf II bought a four-volume book about animals (the
first part about four-legged animals, the second about creeping animals,
third about birds and fourth about the fish) from Savery predecessor
Joris Hoefnagel for an exorbitant sum of money. He used it as the
catalogue of "God's work" - Atlas of animals. Incidentally, the son of
Joris Hoefnagel, Jacob, also painted eight years for Rudolf II and in
1602, painted the dodo bird (and many other species of animals and
plants). It is also known that Rudolf II dispatched Savery for the
"expedition" to the Alps, where he was called to map (to draw) the local
nature.
Prague menagerie never live to see such admirable breathtaking form
after Rudolf's death, it ceased to exist just 12 years before the
establishment of the first official zoo. Yet it was a very important
point in the history of animal breeding in Europe (and by extension the
world). Compared to all the then menageries, even including the most
famous (Tower, Versailles etc.) was the Prague menagerie a real zoo!!!
Definitely the greatest, best, species richest and most important zoo of
the "pre-zoological era"!!! In this context, the situation about
publication this menagerie is somewhat sad fact... in old books there
the Rudolf's menagerie could not be missing, but then less or more it
disappeared from a books. If it is mentioned in current books, then it
is usually only a brief notes (some art historian books are exception).
For example, in the largest online encyclopedia - Wikipedia (in the most
comprehensive English version or in other languages) - under the term
"menagerie" or under the term "zoo", there are mentioned a relatively
insignificant menageries of rulers, but about the Menagerie of Rudolf II
no any word!! The absence of Rudolf's menagerie in current publications
(unlike many old) is apparently caused by the isolation of the Republic
(and so by the lack of information) over a long period of communism,
nevertheless it should not be missing in any of them... On the contrary,
it should be what is not possible to forget in any case - anything like
that and in such scale was not in the world until turn of 18th and 19 th century!!!
Author: Roman Hynek (2011)
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