Ploskovice
Ploskovice is a village and municipality in Litoměřice District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic.
The municipality covers an area of, and has a population of 384.
Ploskovice lies approximately north-east of Litoměřice, south-east of Ústí nad Labem, and north of Prague.History
Duchess Anna Maria Franziska of Saxe-Lauenburg had sprawling estates in the region, including the castle of Ploskovice, acquired by her father in 1663. She was very wealthy, and brought a possible claim to the Duchy of Saxe-Lauenburg through her father Duke Julius Francis. Through their possessions the ducal family also belonged to the Bohemian nobility.
In 1697, the Duchess married Gian Gastone de' Medici, who later became Grand Duke of Tuscany. They lived in the castle of Ploskovice. Anna Maria Franziska dominated her weak husband, which drove him into the arms of alcohol. He deplored her behaviour, "capriciousness, peevish faces and sharp words". Gian Gastone stayed with his wife for a mere ten months, before fleeing to Prague. The Tuscan grand duchess refused to come to Tuscany, despite her husband's constant protestations. She believed that the Medici were in the habit of murdering their consorts.
