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Cesky Sternberk.

 

Sternberk was founed in 1240 and was owned by the family of Sternberks throughout its entire history. The today's owner of the castle resides there with his family. The castle's name is derived from the Star, a heraldic family symbol (Stern means star in German).

The ?eský Šternberk castle is sutuated on a rock above the Sazava river.

The castle looked Gothic in the beginning, but in 18th century it was partially rebuilt as a barocco construction, following the architectural trends of that time. The interiors were decorated with mouldings and paintings by Karl Brentan, the Italian master. The Knight and Golden Halls are especially remarkable. Earlier the castle was a mighty Gothic fortification. At that time it was considered unassailable due to its strategic position on a rock top.

The castle exhibition features Europe's biggest collection of 17th century engravings as well as arms and clocks. A separate exposition is dedicated to the life of count Caspar Sternberk, a remarkable person of the Czech national movement. The chapel, decorated with Gothic wall paintings, offers an exhibition dedicated to the history of the Olomouc region in the Middle Ages.

There is a legend associated with the Sternberk Castle. Long ago one of the Sternberk's predeccesors sold a giant palace which he owned, and got a handsome sum for it, an entire chest of gold. He brought it to his Sternberk castle, and soon he had to go to Vienna to settle some urgent affairs. His faithful servant named Gink was to be the chamberlain during his leave. Gangs of villains used to rob towns and castles at that period, so Sternberk was willing to protect his gold. He decided to take half of the gold with him, leaving the other half to be guarded by Gink, hoping not to lose at least one half of his belongings. So, ordering his faithful servant to keep an eye on the treasure, he set off in the morning.

Gink was keeping the castle, anxious to preserve his master's wealth. He did not trust the servants, and the chance to be attacked by knights or robbers was always there. So, he decided to take the gold secretly to the rocks and hide it there under the cover of night.

In some days Gink went to the fields on his horse, which suddenly threw its master on the ground, leaving him heavily injured. Soon the peasants came to work the field, found the nearly dead Gink and took him to the castle. When he came to his senses he could neither move nor talk.

The castle's clerk came to poor Gink, being the most educated castle inhabitant. Gink started fingering the coins he had silently, pointing to the walls of the castle. However smart the clerk was, he wasn't able to get what Gink was trying to explain. The same night the honest Gink died.

When lord Sternberk returned and found out that his chamberlain had died, he rushed to check the treasure. The chest was empty. Sternberk was very grievous and threatened the servants a lot, yet nobody could explain where the gold had dissapeared.

When the clerk heard about the coming punishment, he confessed to his lord saying he was the one to blame. 'Now I understand what Gink tried to say! He wanted to show me where the gold was hidden, but I am a fool and I did not understand. Punish my stupidity, my lord', he said.

Lord Sternberk, being a fair man, realized it wasn't really the clerk's fault, and let him go in peace. The servants spent days looking for the treasure in the castle and in the surrounding fields, but with no result. So, the Sternberk's gold is still somewhere near the castle, waiting for its owner.

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