Pernštejn is one of the most interesting Moravian castles. This is what a Gothic castle usually looks like stone, unapproachable, austere and partly romantic.
Pernštejn stands on a rock above the small town of Nedvědice for almost eight centuries and has never been defeated in its entire history. It is unique in many ways among the many Gothic buildings of the country. The harsh fortress of the 13th century has not changed its appearance for centuries. Only the interior changed: the rooms were decorated either in Baroque or classical style.
The rooms may seem familiar to attentive visitors who like movies. This is not surprising: the castle regularly becomes an object of interest for movie cameras. More than 50 films were shot there. For example, Czech fairy-tale films featuring a castle: "The Salt Prince", "How to Wake a Princess", or the mystical action film "Van Helsing".
Passing through the ancient halls and corridors of the castle, it is easy to forget that you live in the 21st century. You can choose a standard route through the main palace, which occupies about a third of the total area of the castle. The special route includes a comprehensive tour of the history of the Pernštejn family and a more detailed overview of the castle's interiors. There is a route with a visit to the cellars and attic. There are also chances to visit the chapel, vestry, and climb to the top of the tower.
Recently, the gardens around the castle have become an interesting walking option. They again take the form they had at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Then small buildings and decor appeared in the garden space: a Chinese pavilion, a Turkish bath, and a waterfall. There is also an exhibition about garden art. Soon, visitors will be able to enjoy these views from the new viewing platform on the Park's terrace.
Pernštejn is called the "marble castle" because it is built from local marble. This material is not typical for fortresses. However, it adds dignity to the name of the castle! And there is also a legend that the faces of those who met the local ghostly White lady become marble.
Getting to Pernštejn by public transport from Prague for one day is not easy. But from Brno in one and a half to two hours you can use public transport. The capital of Moravia will be a convenient starting point for exploring both this and the neighboring castles.