Castle Pernstejn
The name Pernstejn comes from the German word Baerenstein, which means bear stone or bear rock and is named after the Pernstejn noble family, which owned the entire eastern part of the Czech lands at the time. The castle was much smaller when it was built in the 13th century but was enlarged in the 15th century, when the nobility took a liking for more comfortable lodgings and the Pernstejns decided to turn their castle into a luxurious residence. But after the early 16th century, the rebuilding slowed down and, with the exception of minor changes and additions, the appearance of Pernstejn Castle today is pretty much the same as it was then.
Legend says that when they started building this castle seven hundred years ago, a knight who was returning from the Holy War came by. He asked what was being done and was told a castle was being constructed. He thrust his walking staff into the ground and proclaimed “This staff will grow roots before you will ever complete a castle on this rocky hill!” The castle was built and the stick grew into a large yew tree. Ever since, it is believed that anything that happens to the castle affects the tree and vice versa.
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