Tales and Legends of Český Krumlov Castle
Castle
No. 57 - Salt-house
It was believed that the house was haunted. Sometimes the people
who lived there didn\'t have any peaceful nights at all, this being
the fault of two men which had once guarded salt. They were passing
the tedious duty by playing dice, and while one of them was winning
hands down the other was having awful luck. He was seized by anger
and wanted to get his own back. During the fierce fight, both
enraged men fought to the death. Even nowadays, noises of a fight,
heated voices, and the sighs of dying guards can be heard.
Castle
No. 65 - Brewery
In this house an odd knocking can often be heard at nights as if a
coppersmith was knocking on hoops. According to the story, a
faithful coppersmith had to get himself some reed from the castle
pond to seal the barrels. Through an unfortunate accident he fell
out of the boat and drowned, so he couldn\'t fulfill the task he
had undertaken. Not even after his death could the coppersmith rest
in peace, and during full moons he haunts the workshop of the
brewery, trying to complete his work.
Castle No. 59 - Dairy
These rooms served as a large woodshed where wood for the castle
administration was stored. The domestic staff hated to go fetch
wood in the evening or at night because it was said to be a very
dangerous place. It was thought that somebody had been murdered
there and his soul was very deceitful. It caused people a lot of
trouble. Once the woodpile nearly fell down on a servant who
luckily jumped aside.
Cellars
in the IVth Courtyard of Český Krumlov Castle
Old wine was buried and stored in these cellars. It is said that
the Rosenberg butler was so assiduous that he looked after the wine
even after his death. He always offered useful advice to his
successors and helped them to find wine of a delightful taste and
aroma. However, he was not only a good-natured man but was capable
of being mischievous as well.
Masquerade
Hall
With the Masquerade Hall, a story is told about a servant who,
during the whirl of the ball, spotted a string of pearls slipping
off a beautiful lady\'s neck without her noticing it. He wanted to
keep the necklace. His malicious intent was foiled by the figures
of grenadiers painted on the wall which stepped out of the wall and
prevented him from completing his immoral deed. The frightened
servant gave the necklace back to the lady and from then on was an
honest man.
Castle
Theatre in Český Krumlov
Evelyna, a beautiful virgin, played in a visiting drama group. She
fell in love with a leading man called David, but unfortunately the
love was unrequited. During the last act of the play poor Evelyna
stabbed herself in the chest and died on the stage. It was
impossible to wash the blood off the boards, and for a long time
the stain was a reminder of the unhappy day.
Summer
- house Bellarie
When the construction of the Summer Manor Bellarie was completed an
unhappy accident happened as early as the first party. One of the
ladies had a headache during the whole evening. She took someone\'s
advice to drink a full goblet of red wine at one go. Afterwards,
she collapsed in a faint and never came to again. Each time a party
took place in the Summer Manor afterwards, an unknown lady with a
high hairstyle wearing a red Rococo dress would suddenly appear
among the guests. She vanished before the end of the party just as
mysteriously as she appeared. People used to call her the enigmatic
Rococo lady.
Small Lake in Castle
Gardens in Český Krumlov
This small lake is associated with impressive fairy tales about
naiads dancing in the moonlight. It is even believed that on the
small island is a buried treasure which is guarded by naiads and
dwarfs. If they take a liking to someone, they give him part of the
treasure. However, the story does mention a magic good word. The
person who puzzles the magic out will get the treasure. It is known
that many people have already tried to get the treasure, but
neither naiads nor dwarfs have appeared.
The White Lady von
Rosenberg
Perchta von Rosenberg, known as the White Lady, lived in the Český
Krumlov castle in the 15th century. Her father, Ulrich II. von
Rosenberg married her off against her will and without love to
the Moravian lord Johann von Lichtenstein who was cruel to Perchta
all her life. When Johann was dying he had Perchta called in and
asked her for forgiveness. She refused, and her husband cursed her.
Since then, the soul of the White Lady von Rosenberg has had to
roam the Rosenberg castles and tends to appear before significant
events. White gloves on her hand bear good tidings, whereas black
gloves are a sign of impending disaster. Tales of
the White Lady is a theme for many authors.
More tales and legends :
Tales
and Legends of Český Krumlov
Tales
and Legends of the Český Krumlov Region
(hb)