Sternberk Castle

We arrived at Sternberk and chose to go on the next tour that was given in Czech with English handouts because otherwise we would have to wait for 1 1/2 hrs for the next English tour.  The castle was beautiful inside and I really felt like I could imagine living there.  The furniture was arranged in a convenient fashion, not just set in the room for display.  I don't know whether we were allowed to take pictures.  I never saw a sign and the guide didn't speak English to tell me not to, so I have some interior pictures this time!  The castle is still occupied (although I don't think the rooms we saw were used except for tours) by the Sternberk family.  Apparently those castle that were privately owned when the communists took over were returned to the family heirs after the Revolution (IF the family were not collaborators with the Nazis).

This family tree was a gift to the current owner from his father.  The current owner (Mr. Sternberk) is at the bottom-center of the trunk.  His father George is on the far left branch, his mother on the far right.  The geneology goes back 5 generations (without brothers and sisters).  Pretty cool.

 These were children's toys and furniture (including the chaise lounge) that were in the castle.

 While we waited for the tour to begin, we observed a hawkmaster with his birds of prey.  Unfortunately we couldn't understand what he was saying, but we could still appreciate the beauty of the birds.