According to a dark legend, three beautiful women lived there. At some point, a rider came by who fell in love with the three and wanted to marry one of them. But the three ladies only mocked him. He then cursed them and the three are said to have turned into cats. From then on, three cats roamed around the cottage and had to feed on the mice they hunted for the rest of their lives. According to legend, this is how the name "cat house" came about. Even today, it is said that cats can be seen meowing around the stones at full moon.
One thing is certain:
The builder of the cat house on the Katzenrech - today Katzenberg - was Christoph Bernhard von Nell, who lived with his wife Comtesse d'Arnault et de Soleuvre in the manor house(Palais von Nell) in Perl. His wife was honoured as a benefactress. He was a reveller, hunter and horse lover. He used the cat house as a "pleasure palace" to celebrate wild carousing and orgies. He flourished there as he did on the back of his horses. His will allegedly even stated that he wished to be buried together with his horse, right outside the door of the cat house.
Facts:
The extensive grounds around the cat house are dominated by a huge grave. In 1942, the grave was opened for the purpose of reburial. A horse skeleton was found next to the body.
Mystery:
Another fascinating fact is that one of the three slabs in front of the door has a spot where no moss is growing. There is a weathering in the stone that resembles a paw.
