Castles Kunštát

The Massive Ruin of a Gothic Castle Above Boskovická brázda

Hrad Boskovice, an extensive ruin towering above the town of Boskovice in Moravia, is one of the most significant Gothic castles in the Jihomoravský kraj (South Moravian Region). It was probably founded in the mid-thirteenth century and belonged to the estate of the lords of Boskovice, who were among the most powerful Moravian nobles. The castle was originally conceived as a guard and defensive castle. It reached its greatest expansion under Ctibor Třebovský of Boskovice in the fifteenth century. After the nobility moved to a more comfortable Renaissance chateau in the town, the castle began to decay in the seventeenth century. During the Thirty Years' War, it was still used as a military bastion, but after the war, it was definitively abandoned. Today, it is an extensive and romantic ruin that offers views of the surrounding area and is gradually being conserved. It is known for its massive defensive tower and the remains of palace structures.

Access

Hrad Boskovice is located on a hill above the town of Boskovice in the Jihomoravský kraj (South Moravian Region). Access by car is possible via road I/43 with a turn-off onto the local road leading to the castle. Parking is available below the castle. A tourist trail leads from the town to the castle. Boskovice has railway and bus connections.

What is Worth Knowing

In the town of Boskovice, visitors can visit the Empírový zámek Boskovice (Empire Chateau Boskovice), which served as a more comfortable residence for the Dietrichštejn family. The Židovské město Boskovice (Jewish Town of Boskovice) with its preserved synagogue is also unique. North of the town, hrad Pernštejn (Pernštejn Castle), one of the most beautiful Gothic castles in Moravia, is accessible. Zámek Kunštát (Kunštát Chateau) is also located nearby.

Near the picturesque village of Nedvědice stands the beautiful Gothic hrad Pernštejn. Thanks to its specific architectural elements, rich history, and interesting surroundings, it has become the setting for many Czech fairy tales and films. It is located in the Jihomoravský kraj in the Brno-venkov district. The area is well-known not only because of Pernštejn, but it is also popular with tourists who head here every year in large numbers to discover the lesser-known corners of the Vysočina region.

The first mentions of Pernštejn date back to the end of the 13th century, when the castle was merely a smaller structure with a palace and the Barborka tower. Over time, as the power and financial means of the lords of Pernštejn increased, the castle was rebuilt into a representative political and administrative centre. In the 15th century, the residence was expanded with additional residential buildings, and an outer defensive wall was erected around it. A new representative room was then created in the courtyard, which was the largest room in the castle, the so-called Rytířský sál.

Subsequent years at Pernštejn were marked by the expansion of the fortifications with effective towers, the bridging of the entrance to the ground floor, and the addition of a library and several other living quarters. At the beginning of the 18th century, stucco reliefs by G. A. Corbellini complemented the original decoration of the Rytířský sál. Hrad Pernštejn thus gradually transformed from a medieval castle into a Moravian provincial fortress. You may have also encountered the term "marble" castle. It received this name thanks to Nedvědice marble, which was used in large quantities during its construction.

Hrad Pernštejn likely received its official name from the German term Bärenstein, which translates to "bear stone". Legend has it that in ancient times, when the castle did not yet have a name, a charcoal burner lived in its vicinity. One day, he found a bear den in the forest with abandoned cubs inside. He brought them home for his son to play with and subsequently to the castle, where he gifted them to the castle lord. When the mother bear returned to the den and did not find her young, she followed the tracks, which led her to the charcoal burner's house. There, in a rage, she took the young boy and carried him into the forest. The charcoal burner could only regret his actions thereafter.

Another legend is associated with a nearby yew tree, which you will find close to the forest stone path leading to hrad Pernštejn. Long ago, when a weary pilgrim was returning home from a pilgrimage, he was intrigued by the lively activity and numerous workers on the massive rocky hill. He learned that they planned to build a castle there. At the same time, however, he did not believe it was possible to build another stone structure on the rock. He therefore stuck his yew staff into the ground and declared that if it took root, the castle would be successfully built. Before long, the first buds appeared on the staff, and at the same time, the first vertical walls of Pernštejn were constructed. Over time, a beautiful tree grew from the staff, firmly linked by fate to Pernštejn. When a violent storm destroyed part of the crown of the massive yew tree one day, the vault in the castle hall also subsided. It is said that when this massive tree dies, hrad Pernštejn will also cease to exist.

Hrad Pernštejn faced several attacks over the centuries. Probably the greatest attack occurred in 1645, when the castle was besieged by the Swedes. During the shelling, the top floor and the tower above the third castle gate were destroyed and were never rebuilt. Pernštejn was also damaged on 15 April 2005. On that day, a fire broke out in the depository. Despite the very rapid mobilisation of the local volunteer brigade and professional firefighters from nearby Bystřice nad Pernštejnem, it was very difficult to reach the third courtyard with heavy equipment. However, the fire was brought under control. A great piece of luck was the fact that the most valuable items were not in the depository but were distributed along the tour routes. Therefore, they were not affected by the fire.

Hrad Pernštejn offers you up to eight tour circuits. You may choose the basic circuit "From the Gothic to the 20th Century", which will provide you with an overall overview of the castle's development. A shorter circuit will offer you the most interesting parts of the basic circuit. It is, however, less time-consuming and suitable even for smaller children who cannot maintain their attention for too long. You may also set out on a tour of the Vrchnostenská zahrada. This is the newest circuit, which was opened after an extensive reconstruction in 2021. In the nearby gardens, you will see what they looked like at the beginning of the 19th century.

Hrad Pernštejn is also very popular among filmmakers. Fairy tales such as Sedmero krkavců, Pták Ohnivák, or Jak se budí princezny were filmed here. You can also see the castle premises in the well-known Italian series Princess Fantaghiro. For the inhabitants of Nedvědice, it is no longer an extraordinary event when they meet a popular actor or actress in their village. They have become accustomed to the fact that Pernštejn simply attracts attention.

If you have not yet visited hrad Pernštejn, or if none of your school trips brought you here during your studies, you should certainly rectify this as soon as possible. Pernštejn is one of the most beautiful castles in all of Moravia. In its surroundings, you can also find several other historical buildings that were not as fortunate and gradually turned into ruins. For example, there is the ruin of hrad Zubštejn, which is set in the forest near the nearby village of Pivonice, belonging to Bystřice nad Pernštejnem.

The selection of accommodation near hrad Pernštejn is also quite diverse. Guesthouses are on offer, suitable, for example, for school trips as well as for the stay of larger groups. Or you may stay in a romantic cottage and explore the surroundings of Nedvědice far and wide. Even a small village can often surprise you.