I’d never have guessed that Brno would be my home, or that I’d be happier here than anywhere else.

I’m the Czech queen, Elizabeth Richeza of Poland, widow of the illustrious Wenceslaus II of Bohemia, and the somewhat less famous King Rudolf II of Hapsburg. After both men had passed away, I started living with the powerful nobleman Henry of Lipá, whom John of Luxembourg had appointed as administrator of Moravia. We lived in Špilberk Castle and were perhaps the happiest people alive. It was my heartfelt desire that something should remain of me in my beloved Brno.

And so I decided to build here a church and monastery, and two additional churches, where people could pray for myself and Henry, and the love we shared. I thought long and hard about where they might be erected, but ultimately I left the decision to chance. With my ladies-in-waiting, we sewed three silken scarfs, and one autumn day we ascended to the top of Špilberk’s Hunger Tower.

The first scarf we released to the wind fell rapidly to the base of the castle’s slope, down to Old Brno. It alighted on the spot where now stands the monastery in whose church I rest, beside my dearest Henry.

The second scarf spiralled in the wind high above our heads, and was carried far in the direction of Veveří Castle, although no-one ever saw it again.

The last scarf was caught by a gust and deposited in the village of Komín, where I had a church built.

Both buildings survive in Brno today, and stand as witnesses to how much I loved it here.