Pernštejn Castle, Gothic Revival castle in South Moravian Region, Czech Republic.
Pernštejn Castle is a stone fortress built on a rocky outcrop between the Svratka and Nedvědička rivers, overlooking the village below. The structure features a distinctive five-story tower called Barborka, which connects to other buildings through internal wooden bridges and narrow hallways.
The Lords of Medlov founded this fortification between 1270 and 1285, deriving its name from the German term Bärenstein, meaning Bear Rock. The castle became a significant defensive stronghold in medieval Moravia over the following centuries.
The castle earned its local reputation as the marble castle of Moravia due to its distinctive stone doorways and windows. People in the region see it as a symbol of medieval power and fortitude in the landscape.
The castle welcomes visitors from April through October, with extended hours during summer months when foot traffic is heaviest. Guided tours in multiple languages are available to help explore the different levels and corridors throughout the property.
The Barborka tower features narrow passages deliberately designed to prevent armored knights from moving quickly through the castle. This defensive strategy reflects how fortifications were engineered specifically to counter medieval combat tactics.
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