Hrad Pernštejn

Created at the behest of the ancient Pernštejn lineage, the Gothic castle guards the secret of this noble family about whose origins we have very little information. What is known with certainty is that it was one of the richest Czech lineages that at the time owned larger estates than the infamous Rožmberk lineage, lords of South Bohemia. The loans granted to the emperors proved fatal for them and contributed to the ruin of the lineage, which was forced to gradually sell off its properties.

Looking at the monumental silhouette of the castle, it is not surprising to learn that it was never conquered, mainly due to its ingenious defense system that still leaves one speechless today. The great advantage was its strategic location on a cliff, but also the deep moats dug by hand, with drawbridges and very high walls with ramparts. If that was not enough, the lords could find refuge in the five-story Barborka tower, connected to the other structures by two wooden bridges. Should the enemy manage to get inside the castle, corridors so narrow that no knight in armor could ever get through awaited him.

Like most Czech castles, Pernštejn has its own mysterious ghost. Her name is White Lady and she was a servant at the castle at the time. Being vain, she spent so much time in front of the mirror neglecting her duties. When she stopped even going to mass, an old friar decided to talk to her to bring her back to the right path, but she laughed at him. The friar became so angry at the servant girl's attitude and cursed her forever. Thus to this day her ghost is condemned to roam the corridors of the castle. Ladies who visit it should beware of its mirrors. It is said that she who looks at them will lose her beauty forever within a year.