Where the legend of the murderous Blood Countess lives on

Elizabeth Báthory’s tenure at Čachtice Castle was only a short episode in its history, but her name draws thousands of tourists every year.

Čachtice CastleČachtice Castle (Source: TASR)

This article was prepared for an edition of the Spectacular Slovakia travel guide and was published in the travel guide Slovakia.

Čachtice Castle (Čachtický hrad)

A helping hand in the heart of Europe offers for you Slovakia travel guide.A helping hand in the heart of Europe offers for you Slovakia travel guide.

Čachtice Castle is inseparably linked with the infamous Elizabeth Báthory, known as the Blood Countess.

The first mention of the castle dates back to the first half of the 13th century when it served as a border-line fortress. The castle had several important owners including Hungarian oligarch Máté Csák, Stibor from Stiborice and the Nádasdy family.

SkryťTurn off ads

After a dreadful fight against the Ottomans, Ferenc Nádasdy died in 1604, and his wife Elizabeth took over administration of his property. As legend has it, she was investigated for murders of several hundred maidens and allegedly bathed in their blood. She was imprisoned at the Čachtice Castle in 1611, where she died confined at the castle which later turned into ruins. Archaeologists failed to find her grave during the two-year reconstruction completed in spring 2014.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

While Elizabeth Báthory’s tenure at the castle was only a short episode in its history and there is no definite proof she really bathed in blood, her name draws thousands of tourists every year.

Related article Home of the Bloody Lady Elizabeth Báthory: Čachtice Castle Read more 

Spectacular Slovakia travel guides

Top stories

Stock image.

Twice as many Ukrainians work in Slovakia now than before the Russian invasion.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad