Čachtice Castle (Csejte) – Elizabeth Báthory’s “Bloody” Hideout
Pitched on a rocky ridge in the Little Carpathians, not far from the town of Nové Mesto, this famed fortress was once home to Hungary’s most famous serial killer the countess Elizabeth Báthory. Known in folklore to bathe in the blood of virgins, to restore her beauty and youth, her legend still holds our imagination captive today!
Village of Čachtice
Located on the east side of the mountains where the previously mentioned Báthory castle is located, one must drive through this small town to reach the road leading to that landmark. Written records of this village date from 1263, and its central baroque church would indicate that this is an ancient place. Although it did briefly reach the status of a town in 1392, it would not gain importance until the 19th century as part of the Slovak National Awakening. In 1847 it was the site of Tatrín, the first Slovak national and cultural society. In this meeting it was decided that the central Slovak dialect as developed by the priest Anton Bernolák as the standard of the codified Slovak language.
Čachtice Castle (Csejte)
On the road up to the castle, the road gives way to a parking lot. From here it is a short hike up a dirt road to the outer fortifications. After a short walk its immense outer walls will present themselves to you. It may be a small castle but its location. lore and partially ruined stature make it impressive.
From here you should be able to square great views of the Slovak countryside and its distinctive rolling hills, famers fields, villages and forests.
The castle’s origins are with the gentry rather then royalty. It was founded in the mid-13th century by the Hont-Pázmány family to guard the road to Moravia to the west, in today’s Czech Republic. It later passed into the hands of the Hungarian warlord Matthew Csák, then later the Stibor family, the Nadasdy family and finally passing over to the Báthory family.
After passing the outer wall, you will make your way into the main courtyard with its distinctive curved central tower. Not far from here you will find a gift shop where you will be able to buy the wine mentioned later in this post.
You can climb up to the upper castle, the second level of Csejte, to enter the tower.
It is here, on this upper level, that the castle leans in to its horror roots. Although the objects such as the iron maiden found here are not of the period and where added for ambience rather then historic reasons. Elizabeth Báthory wed to Ferenc Nádasdy in 1575 and the castle was a gift from his family to hers along with its surrounding lands and villages. The were wed for twenty nine years before his death. The investigation into her crimes of was led György Thurzó, of a powerful mining magnate and the heir to the estate. Although there is some debate over the veracity of the charges against her, kidnapping torture and murder, over 300 accusations were made.
The stories of bathing in virgins blood originate from the 18th century when Jesuit scholar László Turóczi’s published his Tragica Historia, the first written account of the Báthory case. It relied heavily on oral history and came into question in the 19th century with the publishing of the actual witness testimony.
In 1611, she was arrested and confined to this castle!
Due to the painstaking restoration process, you enjoy walking through the ruins anywhere on the castle grounds. The castle was occupied by the rebel forces of the anti-Hapsburg Hungarian Francis II Rákóczi in the 18th century and was burned down in 1799, being left to rot.
Before you leave the castle grounds, make sure to pick up a bottle of Báthory wine, especially the red one (since it looks like blood, of course!). Western Slovakia, is known for its vineyards and mild climate and as such you should enjoy some of its grapes!
Conclusion
The famed home of the historic horror villain Elizabeth Báthory is one of the most interesting ruins in Slovakia. There are larger castles, but this one is so steeped in lore and culture that one has not choice but to visit it. Enjoy the Báthory lair!
