Čachtice Castle
Last weekend I visited Cachtice Castle and the village. Originally I was planning to take part in a 23 km trail run Bathory Cross organized there, however I had to cancel my participation due to sickness. Instead I went to cheer my friends on.
The 13th century castle, or rather the ruins that remain, is located on a limestone hill overlooking nearby woods. There is also a Polish twist in its history as it was part of the wedding gifts to Elizabeth Bathory, a niece to Polish king Stefan Bathory, when she married Ferenc Nádasdy in 1575. She was later accused of witchcraft and bathing in blood of virgins, supposedly murdering hundreds of women. For these, most likely made up, crimes she was imprisoned in the castle and died there. In later years her legend grew earning her the nickname of the Blood Countess.






