Fürstenberg

Fürstenberg is a name associated with a historic German noble family, several towns, and commercial enterprises. The House of Fürstenberg originated in Swabia in the early Middle Ages and rose to prominence as Imperial Counts in the 13th century. In 1661 the family was elevated to princely status within the Holy Roman Empire, acquiring extensive holdings in the Black Forest region, including the counties of Donaueschingen, Hüfingen and Wehr. The Fürstenberg line split into several branches, most notably the Fürstenberg‑Fürstenberg line which ruled the Principality of Fürstenberg until its mediatisation to the Grand Duchy of Baden in 1806. Prominent members include Prince Maximilian Egon II (1863–1945), known for his patronage of the arts, and his descendant, Prince Karl Friedrich (born 1970), who heads the family today and oversees the management of historic estates and cultural projects.

The name also designates several municipalities in Germany. Fürstenberg/Havel is a town in Brandenburg on the Havel River, famed for its medieval castle and as a former Prussian garrison. Fürstenberg in Lower Saxony is a village within the district of Osnabrück, notable for its historic church and agricultural heritage. In Switzerland, Fürstenberg refers to a locality in the canton of Aargau.

Commercially, Fürstenberg is linked to the Fürstenberg Brewery, founded in 1283 in Donaueschingen and recognized as one of the world’s oldest continuously operating breweries, producing pilsner and lager beers. The Fürstenberg porcelain manufactory, established in 1747 in Donaueschingen, became celebrated for high‑quality ceramic ware and remains a cultural symbol of the family's artistic patronage.