Our profile

History of Art

Integrated Territorial and Urban Conservation

Cemetery Art Research

Architectural Ceramics

Restoration of Architectonic and Industrial Heritage

Genealogical Research

Handwriting Psychology

Princess Augusta de Montléart

a remarkable woman who lived in the 19^th century

by Francisco Queiroz

Augusta, Princess of Montléart occasionally lived in Portugal and made some journeys through the country, together with her maid. At Oporto she founded a cenotaph dedicated to her half-brother King Carlo Alberto of Sardaigne (the Italian Charles-Albert of Piemonte, from the Savoia-Carignano royal family).

This cenotaph is the most impressive building of its type in Portugal: an exquisite chapel made of granite with interesting stuccoes and statues.

For some years I have been studying this cenotaph, having in mind the publication of a book about it. This book will be published as part of my post-doctoral research program. However, it is not easy to know better the profile of Augusta de Montléart, for she was a rather discrete princess and her generosity was never used as self-promotion. On the other hand, she lived in several countries, leaving too many trails yet to be discovered and assembled. She died in Poland, in the region of Myslenice (near Cracow).

Here is what I have already managed to find out about the last years of Augusta de Montléart in Poland:

- She lived in Poland in a large property with a manor house named Krzyszkowice, in the region of Myslenice, near Siepraw, Zawada and Lanckorona. This property was bought from Lukarz Dobrzanski (married with Natalie Wessel Dobrzanska), probably in 1869. After the death of Augusta de Montléart, according to her will, this property returned to the Dobrzanski family.    

- Augusta de Montléart founded the Gimnazium nº 1 (school nº 1) of Myslenice. She also founded other schools in Krzyszkowice

- Augusta de Montléart established a hospital in the yard of her manor house, where she personally cared for local poor people. There were numerous other acts of generosity by the princess, who dressed and lived with simplicity. She was also one of the first to care about animals' rights. 

- Augusta de Montléart died tragically in 1885 and was buried in the cemetery of Siepraw. In 1937 her mortal remains were transferred.

In order to complete my book about princess Augusta de Montléart, I need to find out a lot more about her last years of life in Poland, which is very difficult, since I live in Portugal and I cannot understand Polish.

Here are some examples of important doubts still remaining about Augusta de Montleart: why did she left Paris and decided to live in a rural region of Poland? What kind of relationship she had with his brother Jules-Maurice (Moritz Julius), that owned also some land in the region of Myslenice? Did Augusta de Montléart took any political part or any political role in that time? Why did she died in such a tragic way? What is still left from the princess legacy in this region? Is there any portrait of the princess? Are there any texts published about the profile of Augusta of Montleart?

Many other interrogations remain, even about her exact date and place of birth. When she was in Portugal, in the late 1850s, she came only with her maid. Even though she is never considered a widow in the newspapers of that time, some references suggests that she got married.

If you have any information or any interest whatsoever about Princess Augusta de Montléart, please contact us.

Princess Augusta de Montléart was also known as Maria Augusta de Montleart; Augustyna de Montleart; Augusta Montleart; księżna Auguste de Montleart; "Chłopska księżna"; Fryderyka Augustyna; Frederica Augusta; Fréderique Auguste Marie de Montléart; Augusta Maria, Principessa de Montléart; Auguste, Princesse de Montléart-Sachsen-Kurland; Marie de Montléart.

Princess Augusta de Montléart was born from the second marriage of Maria, Princesa de Saxe-Curlândia (deceased in Paris, 24 Nov 1851), also known as: Maria Christina Albertina Carolina van Saksen-Koerland; Maria Christina Albertina Carolina de Saxe (Wettin), princesse von Sachsen-Kurland, Marie Christine, Herzogin von Kurland; Maria Krystyna, ksiezniczka kurlandzka, Marie Christine Prinzessin von Sachsen, Marie De Wettin; Maria de Saxe.

Augusta received the title of Princess of Montléart from her father Júlio Maximiliano Thibault, príncipe de Montléart (deceased in Paris, October 1865) also known as: Julius Maximilian de Montléart, Prince of Montléart; Pr Jules de Montleart; Jules Maximilien Thibault de Montléart; Jules de Rumont, Prince de Montleart.

See also:

Guide to Oporto Cemeteries

Cemetery Art in Portugal

Augusta de Montléart (Facebook page)