CACHTICE CASTLE Tourist inspiration ČACHTICKÝ HRAD Turistická inspirace

Post overview

A brief history of the castle

The legend about Elizabeth Báthory - the bloody countess

Overview of films based on the legend of Elizabeth Báthory

Tourist inspiration, a brief travel guide an unmissable dominant a place shrouded in bloody fame In Central Europe in Slovakia

Geographic coordinates
48°43′29″ N, 17°45′39″ E

Cachtice Castle is a castle ruin in Slovakia, located in the district of Nové Mesto nad Váhom near the village of Čachtice in the Little Carpathians. It is located on a limestone hill at an altitude of 375 meters and is thus a distinctive landmark. The castle was founded in the 13th century by Mikuláš Čák of Trenčín.

Over the centuries, it has been rebuilt and expanded several times. In the 16th century, it became the residence of Elisabeth Báthory, a Hungarian noblewoman nicknamed the "bloody countess", who became famous for the brutal murders of young girls. In 1611 she was sentenced to life imprisonment in the castle tower. She died four years later (August 21, 1614) at the age of 54.

After the death of Elisabeth Báthory, the castle was gradually abandoned and fell into disrepair. In the 19th century, it underwent partial restoration, but in the 20th century it was again damaged by war events.

Currently, the castle is owned by the Slovak Republic and is open to the public. Cachtice Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Slovakia. It is a place with a rich history and legends that attracts visitors from all over the world

The Legend of Alžběta Báthoryová is connected to Čachtice Castle

Elizabeth Báthory, also known as the Blood Countess, was a Hungarian countess who lived in the 16th century. According to legend, she was responsible for the torture and murder of hundreds of young girls
Elizabeth was born in 1560 into a powerful and wealthy family. She married Ferenc Nádasdy, a prominent Hungarian nobleman. The couple had five children together.
In 1604, Ferenc Nádasdy died. Elizabeth began to behave increasingly violently. According to legend, she began to torture and murder young girls who were brought to her castle in Cachtice.
The victims were tortured in various ways, including stabbing, burning, and strangulation. Elizabeth is said to have believed that the blood of young girls had magical properties that would keep her young and beautiful.

Cachtice Castle belonged to the fortresses that protected the west and north of Hungary. The construction of the medieval stone castle was connected with the Tatar invasion of Hungary. At the request of King Béla IV, Kazimír of the Hunt-Poznan family began construction of the castle in the first half of the 13th century. The castle served as a border royal fortress.

In 1273, the castle passed its first stress test when it was attacked and damaged by Czech King Přemysl Otakar II. In 1299, the castle was captured by Matúš Čák Trenčiansky. In 1392, the castle and estate were acquired by Ctibor I. of Beckov, the richest feudal lord in Hungary at that time, as a gift from King Sigismund. Ctibor died in 1414 and his son Ctibor II inherited the property. Ctibor II and his son held the castle until 1434.

According to legend, the Báthory family has three dragon teeth in its coat of arms because its founder, Briccius Báthory, killed a dragon. Briccius was a knight who lived in the 13th century. One day he went hunting and met a dragon in the forest. Dragons were considered to be dangerous creatures that threatened people and animals at the time. Briccius therefore decided to kill the dragon. Briccius fought the dragon for a long time and hard. In the end, he managed to kill the dragon and cut off three of its teeth. Briccius took these teeth as a trophy and became a symbol of his courage and strength. The exact history of the origin of the Báthory family coat of arms is unknown. However, the legend provides an interesting insight into how this coat of arms was understood in the past.

Films based on the legend of Elizabeth Báthory

The Countess (2009) is a French-German-Czech historical drama directed by Julie Delpy. The film stars Delpy as Elizabeth Báthory. It focuses on the last years of Báthory's life and her trial.

Bathory (2008) is a Slovak-Czech-Hungarian-British historical drama directed by Juraj Jakubisk. The film stars Anna Friel as Elizabeth Báthory. It focuses on Báthory's entire life, from childhood to her death.

The Bloody Lady (1981) is a Czechoslovak historical drama directed by František Vláčil. The film stars Dana Medřická as Elizabeth Báthory. It focuses on the last years of Báthory's life and her trial.

Necropolis (1973) is a British horror film directed by Freddie Francis. The film stars Ingrid Pitt as Elizabeth Báthory. The film is a fictional story about how Alžběta Báthoryová survived her death and became immortal.

The Bloody Countess (1960) is an American horror film directed by Juraj Jakubisk. The film stars Ingrid Pitt as Elizabeth Báthory. The film is a fictional story about how Elizabeth Báthory was a witch who bathed in the blood of young girls to stay young and beautiful.

In addition to these films, many others have been made about the legend of Elizabeth Báthory. Some are historical dramas, some are horror, and others combine elements of both genres.