Free Time > Strongholds > Rozmberk
Rozmberk
- Address: Rozmberk nad Vltavou [show on the map]
- Telephone: +420 380 749 838
- Website: http://www.hrad-rozmberk.cz/
- E-mail: hradrozmberk@ck.gin.cz
Description
Perchta was born in 1429 as the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the Kingdom of Bohemia, Oldrich II of Rozmberk. Her mother, Katerina of Vartenberk died early, yet Perchta spent a happy childhood in her beloved Cesky Krumlov. She grew up, together with her sister Anezka and several other children of her age, and was looked after by her relatives and the female retinue. She had more siblings: sisters Lidmila and Katerina, who died as a child, and brothers Jindrich, Jost and Jan.
When Perchta reached the age of 20, she obeyed the wish of her father and married prince Jan of Liechtenstein, who was the lord of Mikulov and Valtice in South Moravia and in the Austrian Steiregg. The marriage was arranged for profit reasons: Oldrich placed great hopes in the power contacts of his future son-in-law, and expected Jan, who possessed a large wealth, not to require a much too high dowry.
Liechtenstein, on the contrary, wanted to solve his financial problems with the dowry. In this deal, Perchta became a mere item of goods with nobody taking her feelings into consideration.
Soon after Perchta's arrival in Mikulov the differences between the character traits of both spouses started to become more and more visible. Jan spent a lot of time on entertainment, tournaments and carouses, which never attracted Perchta. She was fairly well educated for that time and preferred spiritual enjoyments. Liechtenstein felt irritated by her being so "virtuous", and kept picking quarrels. He reproached her for her low dowry and kept reducing her expenses so that she and her servants lived in poverty in the end.
Her mother-in-law, Hedvika of Pottendorf, too, added fuel to the flames and did not miss an opportunity to hurt the young lady. Perchta did not have any support from anybody and her situation was desperate. Her situation was not even improved by the births of her daughter and son. The only short moments of happiness she had were her rare visits to ?eský Krumlov.
Perchta and Jan of Liechtenstein's marriage later became a public affair. Perchta appealed to her father, brothers and mediators from among the nobility related for help. The dispute was even dealt with by the king George of Pod?brady. However, the couple never reconciled again. In the end, Perchta left Jan of Liechtenstein and returned to Cesky Krumlov spending the last years of her life in Vienna.
Jan of Liechtenstein died in 1473 and Perchta outlived him by three years. She is buried in the Liechtenstein tomb of the Monastery of Virgin Mary of Scotland in Vienna.
Legend has it that the dying Jan of Liechtenstein called Perchta to his deathbed and asked her for forgiveness. Yet Perchta could not forgive him, for which Jan cursed her. According to this curse she has to appear as the White Lady in Rozmberk residences at night until somebody frees her. For centuries people have believed in her supernatural abilities and held her for a patroness of family seats and their inhabitants.
Until today, both inhabitants of and visitors to the former Rozmberk seats meet the White Lady. Apart from the castle of Rozmberk, her picture can be seen in Cesky Krumlov, Trebon, Jindrichuv Hradec and Telc. These places are connected with the fate of Perchta of Rozmberk, and her ghost has been appearing here for centuries.
Opening Hours
- April, October: only Saturdays and Sundays 9.00a.m.- 4.00p.m./last entry 3.15p.m./,
- May, September: every day except Monday 9.00a.m.- 4.00p.m /last entry 3.15p.m./,
- June, July, August: every day except Monday 9.00a.m. - 5.15p.m. /last entry 4.30p.m./