7 Surprising Secrets of Pernštejn

Many people connect Pernsteins solely with the fairy-tale castle known as Pernštejn, but their influence actually extended far beyond that. For instance, after William II acquired Helfštejn Castle in 1475, he referred to himself as “of Pernštejn and at Helfštejn” until his passing. The Pernštejn family controlled significant territories in Moravia, including Mitrov, Zubstein, Jimramov, Vitkov, Fox, Dalečín, Plumlov, Prostejov, Tovačov, Lipník nad Bečvou, Přerov, Borders, and other estates, particularly in Pardubice, Bohemia, Kunětická hora, Potstejn, Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Lititz, Brandýs nad Labem, Častolovice, Lanšperk, Rychmburk, and Lanškroun. When William II of Pernštejn (1438-1521) rose to become the highest Hofmeister of the Kingdom of Bohemia, Pardubice Castle emerged as the new center for family diplomacy and commerce. Today, it houses the East Bohemian Museum, which honors the Pernštejn era not just through stunning paintings on the walls and ceilings, but also with a beautiful exhibit celebrating the 500th anniversary of William of Pernštejn’s death titled “Pernštejn Residence – the Oldest Renaissance in Bohemia.”

1. The Lords of Medlow, Ancestors of English Kings

During the Renaissance, the Pernsteins were one of the wealthiest families in the Czech lands, although their origins remain somewhat mysterious. They were initially known as The Lords of Medlov, tracing back to an ancestor named Stephen (†1235), who was the purgatorial administrator of Děvičky Castle and also managed Veveří Castle. He was the first to use the designation “of Pernštejn” and also established a monastery with a family burial site in Doubravník, near the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The motto of the Pernštejn family was “He who perseveres, wins”, and their coat of arms featured a black bison head with a golden mushroom in its nostrils. According to some theories, William of Pernštejn is among the ancestors of the British royal family: his great-granddaughter, Elizabeth, married a member of the German Fürstenberg family, which is connected to the Windsor family of Britain.

2. Family Residence: Pernštejn Castle

From the late 13th to the late 16th centuries, Pernštejn Castle stood as the primary residence for the family. This castle is a remarkable example of late Gothic and Renaissance architecture. According to local legend, it is also home to the famous White Lady of Pernštejn (there’s even a special tour for children that follows her story). A new addition in 2021 is a beautifully restored garden located on the slopes below the castle. This garden offers paths through various styles, including a formal French garden, a romantic garden, a Chinese garden, and a quaint English park. The garden features many charming buildings, but be prepared for a physically challenging tour due to the steep terrain.

3. Pernštejn’s Influence on Pardubice

When the Pernsteins settled in Pardubice at the end of the 15th century, the town was quite small. Their influence over the town lasted for under 70 years, but without their contributions, Pardubice would likely look very different today. William II of Pernštejn expanded the town to its modern historic core, and from 1492 to 1511, he transformed the castle into a Renaissance residence based on designs by Albrecht Dürer. He fortified both the town and the castle, and after a fire in 1507, he built magnificent late Gothic stone houses adorned with wall paintings (though unfortunately, these structures were later destroyed by another fire). In 1510, he established the Church of St. John the Baptist; closer to the chateau lies the Church of St. Bartholomew, which the Pernštejn family constructed as their burial chapel.

4. William of Pernštejn and the Unique Exhibit in Pardubice

Pardubice Castle now presents itself not only as a Museum but also as a noble residence of a prominent family, following extensive renovations. The sightseeing tour includes the interiors of the chateau, designed by architects Josef Pleskot, Ladislav Labus, and Petr Všetečka. Visitors can view a display of portraits depicting notable Pernštejn figures alongside newly created exhibition spaces that occupy the former castle granaries. This transformation was completed by Eva Jiřičná, who redesigned the northern wing into a social and cultural hub. As part of the tour, guests can also explore 500-year-old oak chests, equipped with five locks. These chests served as a medieval vault for the Pernštejn family, likely used for storing important contracts, documents, and deeds. Remarkably, this is the only remaining part of the late Gothic furnishings in Pardubice Castle. Curiously, it’s still a mystery how the large metal chest, measuring four-and-a-half meters long and one meter wide, made its way into the cellars beneath the chapel, as only narrow spiral stairs provide access to that area.

5. Pond Keepers in Pardubice

In the early 16th century, William of Pernštejn initiated the construction of ponds in the Pardubice region. Notably, the well-known fisherman Štěpánek Netolický, who played a role in developing the pond system in the Třeboň area, gained experience in this field under their guidance. William brought in the skilled builder Kunát the Younger from Dobřenice to tackle the challenging task of supplying water to the Pernštejn ponds. Consequently, the “Great Strúha” was created in 1513; this canal, known today as the Opatovice Canal, once supplied more than 230 ponds with water from the Elbe River during its peak usage. The nearly 33-kilometer-long canal still serves its original purpose today, even as many of the original Pernštejn ponds have gradually disappeared alongside various mills that lined its course. The Bohdanečský Pond also serves as a reminder of this historical era, featuring a nature trail and an ornithological observation point.

6. Litomyšl, the Castle of Love and the Prague Jesuit

In 2018, Litomyšl celebrated 450 years since the foundation stone of its Renaissance chateau was laid. The story of its creation is rich with romance: Vratislav the Magnificent of Pernštejn commissioned the construction in the latter half of the 16th century as a gift for his beloved wife, Maria Manrique de Lara. To ensure good fortune, he chose the date for the foundation stone’s placement based on astrological advice. Mary brought a valuable statue of the baby Jesus from Spain, which she later gifted to their daughter Polyxena (1566-1642). Polyxena donated this statue in 1628 to the Convent of the Barefoot Carmelites at the Church of Our Lady of Victory in Prague, which is now known as the Prague Jesuit.

7. By the Sword and by Misfortune

In the 16th century, the House of Pernštejn was at the height of its power and prestige, but dark clouds were beginning to gather on the horizon. By the 17th century, the family faced tragic declines due to both warfare and misfortune; the last male in the line passed away in 1631, twenty years after their significant rivals, the Rosenbergs, and the last female member’s death occurred in 1646. Polyxena remarried in 1603 to the High Chancellor Zdeněk Popel of Lobkowitz, thereby connecting the heirs of the Pernštejn lineage to the Lobkowitz family.