Pavlov
The picturesque village Pavlov is situated at the foot of Děvín, the highest peak (550m) of CHKO Pálava (Landscape Protected Area). Děvín belongs to National biosphere reserves and you can take a pleasure in observing various kinds of rare flowers as well as protected animals there. Similarly as its neighbor village Dolní Věstonice, from where comes the world-known statuette Věstonická Venus, the area of Pavlov was also settled already in prehistoric ages by mammoth hunters, and their staying in this fertile and for animals rich territory endured even other historical period. A first mention of this village is from the year 1046. After a founding of castle Děvičky in the beginning of the 13th century the village became the part of its manor. Ostentatious facades of wine cellars with their rustic Baroque gables and farmers houses in the village square dating from the 17th and 18th centuries are evidence of the wealth resulting from fertile soil and vineyards. In 1995 Pavlov was declared as a Monument Reserve but listed are not only the ruins of castle Děvičky but also twice rebuilt Church of St. Barbora, who is a patron of many handicrafts. Its white bell tower is well-seen from distance and creates a dominant of this village. Other listed object is remarkable Baroque cemetery and also a statue of St. Florian- a patron of fire brigade and chimney-sweeps which is situated on the village square. Such accumulation of historical valuable objects in one village is really unique in Moravian setting.
Pálava
Since 1976 CHKO (Landscape Protected Area), since 1986 UNESCO biosphere reserve. One of the most various areas as far as the number of fauna and flora is concerned. Apart from arid rocky prairies you can also find wetlands in a valley of the river Dyje. As a result of regular floods a large area of riparian woodland and floodplain meadows was created. In the summer their surface is decorated by white blossoms of water-lilies, above the tree-tops from time to time over flies an eagle or a stork.
Castle Děvičky
First mention of castle Dewiczky (its original Slavic name) is from 1222 and it happened in very interesting context - as the lord of the region is reported Stepan from Medlov, ancestor of latter powerful line of Lords from Pernstein. His descendants were Austrian Lipolt, then Crh, ancestor of Lords from Holstein, and Drahotuš. Chronicle of Bohemia says that in 1246 Crh was captured by Austrians which tried to force him by torturing to render the castle. He reportedly didn't do that even when they gouged out his eye. During 13th century the area was settled by a German-speaking population; at that time the castle was known as "hauss Maydberch" (later Maidberg, Maidenbug). In 1253 the castle could have been destroyed by Kumans and then is not mentioned until 1334, when was given by King Jan of Luxembourg to the powerful Liechtenstein family together with villages Strachotín, Věstonice and Pavlov, and already not existing village Stochnice. They owned it until 1560 and rebuilt for several times - in 1414 castle chapel is mentioned; during the Turkish threat of the 1530´s the castle was reinforced and a great bastion to prevent direct fire was built; and in the first half of 16th century an alteration of living wings was also done. It was carried out by Krystof from Lichtenstein whose economic policy almost ruined Liechtensteins and forced them to sell the castle and whole Mikulov manor in 1560. It was bought by Hungarian noble Ladislav Kerecsenyi, famous for fighting the Turks, who then sold it to the Dietrichstein family of Mikulov, specifically to Zikmund. During the Thirty Years´ War it was occupied by the Swedes, who burnt it down as they departed in 1645. In fact this is the last substantial date in its history. When the Turks threatened again in 1683 there was a lookout posted at the castle, but it was never repaired. In 1784 there was still a watchman living there who rang a warning bell in case of fire or an approaching storm. After his death the castle was abandoned and warning bell was transported to Klentnice where it went through both WW and up to this day is possible to hear its ringing from Klentnice bell tower. In each case, Děvičky are beautiful ruins of old castle, standing on the cliff, looming over the picturesque Pálava scenery. Beautiful in bright summer days, magical at star-bright nights and mysterious when covered in foggy haze from which it ghostly-like looks out. The ruins are all year round free accessible and if you don ´t manage visit it in summer, be aware that in such colorful Indian summer it may be even more charming. And new-fallen snow scrunching under your feet on the way up can also evoke all sorts of romantic images.
Legends of Castle Děvičky
There exist several legends, which are mostly connected with those three rocks today visible only from Dolní Věstonice, because from the castle, when you can't have a look from window, it can't be seen anymore.
First legend
Under the castle, a treasure is said to be hidden, guarded by black dog. They say that a woman from Pavlov, who was mowing the grass, hit on the treasure. When she was piling the gold on a sheet, black dog came and bit her into her hand. Bitten hand got black immediately. The treasure and the dog disappeared when bell rang noon. The woman was left a little of gold which was already on the sheet, however, the hand stayed paralyzed.
Second legend
Next legend tells about Tatar Princess who, during wandering via Christian world, got to the castle built on cliff looming over the river Dyje. She was kindly welcomed and she stayed there. However, Lord of the Castle was so interested in her wealth that he got in her bedroom at night and murdered her together with her two chamber-maids and little dog. All bodies then threw down from the cliff. But he didn't rejoice long time at his unfair acquired assets because in the morning he saw petrified bodies under the cliff threateningly staring at the castle. He went mad by horror and dashed for them. As revenge, Tatars plundered Moravia.
Third legend
According to other legend, those are three daughters of Lord of the Castle, prince Arnulf, who engaged the oldest daughter to devil Trabaccio. But she preferred to be petrified together with her sisters. Prince Arnulf is said to live in deep grief as a hermit in a hut near rocks till his death.
Fourth legend
Fourth legend says that those are three disobedient mansion daughters, spelled by their own mother because of their laziness. In every case, there is heard a noiseless cry from the rocks at quiet nights.
Fifth legend
The castle was evidently fatal place for women and what castle it would be if there was not any hant. Castle Děvičky has right two of them. White clothed women who are said to walk around the castle since Thirty Years´ War. They were daughters of Lord of the Castle and were buried under the secret passage in 1645 during the siege of general Torstenson. The passage is said to run from the castle up to a church in Dolní Věstonice. Before WWII local people set out for the castle haunts with chains and sticks but they didn't find anybody so hants must still be there.
