Castles Ducové

Almost every castle is associated with ancient legends that often inspire terror. One of the terrifying stories that you surely know is about Elizabeth Báthory. Her home was none other than Čachtický hrad. You no longer need to be afraid of the deceased ruler of the castle; only a beautiful view and walls breathing with history await you.

Čachtický hrad is located above the village of Čachtice of the same name. You will find it very easily. It is located at the foot of Malé Karpaty, between the towns of Nové Mesto nad Váhom and Piešťany. The Považie region is notoriously known for its high concentration of castles. These were intended to protect not only trade routes, but also the Kingdom of Hungary from attacks from the west. Čachtický hrad was located right on the imaginary front line. It was built in 1260, but the castle hill was inhabited much earlier.

The castle recorded its first major event shortly after its construction. As early as 1273, it had to face a massive attack by the Czech King Ottokar II. Many castles fell victim to his troops, but Čachtický hrad, although with heavy losses, resisted.

Later, the castle belonged to several rulers, undoubtedly the most famous being Matúš Čák Trenčiansky. After his death, King Sigismund took over the baton, gifting it to his devoted adjutant Stibor of Stiboricz. He owned up to 15 castles and was rightly called the "Lord of all Považie." The most famous castle he owned was Beckov.

From 1569, the Nádasdy family came to rule the castle. After the death of Tamás Nádasdy, it was controlled by his wife, who wanted to get rid of the castle. Pre-emptive rights to the castle were used by her son Ferenc Nádasdy. Although the Čachtice estate belonged to him, death awaited him two years later, and so the rule over the castle was entrusted to his wife, the legendary Elizabeth Báthory. Elizabeth married when she was only 15 years old, and it is very likely that she suffered from psychological problems. Her condition was not helped by separation from her husband, who was almost constantly at war. Solitude was responsible for the rise of sadism in the famous countess. It is rumored that a maid once pulled her hair while combing it. The enraged countess struck the maid so hard that she wounded her until she bled. The maid's blood fell on Báthory's face, and she felt as if she had rejuvenated. She began killing young girls en masse for their blood, which allegedly made her younger. She likely deprived 690 girls of their lives and tortured many of them. These practices became suspicious over time, and so on January 2, 1611, she stood trial. Her punishment was life imprisonment under house arrest, where she died in the summer of 1614. Her remains are allegedly buried in one of the castle walls.

The castle did not face a very rosy future. In 1708, the castle was conquered by the troops of Francis II Rákóczi and served only as a prison until 1799, when it burned down. Since then, it has been abandoned and falling into ruin. It underwent several reconstructions, the latest of which was scheduled to end in 2014. A visit to the castle is certainly interesting, especially if you want to see a rugged medieval military fortress. Čachtický hrad was a combat fortress, and romantic architectural whims had no place here. After the reconstruction, some parts will even be roofed, so you will see Čachtický hrad in a completely new outfit.

To enjoy the castle sufficiently, you can stay in close proximity. Directly below its walls lie the villages of Čachtice and Višňové. Both offer plenty of private rooms and family houses for rent, so you will be able to wake up with the silhouette of the castle behind your windows. If you are looking for a busier life, you will definitely like Nové Mesto nad Váhom. Hotels, guesthouses, or tourist hostels guaranteeing a cheap holiday are available here. Look at the beauties of Považie with perspective from Čachtický hrad.

You might think that you know about all the towns and cities that share their name with a castle. After all, who wouldn't know Bratislavský hrad castle or Trenčiansky hrad castle? However, there is one castle that only a few people know about. That is Topoľčiansky hrad castle.

You will find the ruins of the once majestic castle a few kilometers from the town of Topoľčany itself. To venture among its ruins, you will need to visit the small village of Podhradie. It lies in the mountains of Považský Inovec, which is the most prominent mountain range in the entire area. It offers opportunities not only for history lovers, but also for dedicated hikers.

The castle stands on a massive dolomite rock formation. Such rocky outcrops were generally popular in the past for their excellent strategic location. It is not entirely known in which exact year the castle originates, but it dates back to the 13th century. The castle originally consisted of just a tower, a palace, and a small courtyard. In 1431, it was captured by the Hussite army. The Hussites chose Topoľčiansky hrad castle as their seat, where they resided until 1434. The armies of the Hungarian nobility tried to capture the castle, but without success. Due to the castle's excellent defense, they were forced to pay a ransom for it.

The castle was later expanded and improved, with the main reason being the constant threat of Turkish attacks. It passed through the hands of many owners. Perhaps the most famous family was the Forgáchs, who owned the castle from 1595 until the 18th century. After that, it passed through the hands of many nobles, with the Stummer family being the last. The cold and hard-to-reach castle was uncomfortable for them, so they found refuge in a manor house below the castle in the village of Tovarníky, which is nowadays a part of Topoľčany.

Currently, the castle is a typical castle ruin. The dominant feature of the castle, the crumbling castle tower, underwent reconstruction as early as the late 19th century. Thanks to the atypical stepped shape of its structure, the castle acquired a unique silhouette. An interesting fact is that it is possible to enter this tower.

The village of Podhradie and the town of Topoľčany are part of the Ponitrie region. To get to know it thoroughly, make sure to treat yourself to a visit to the surrounding towns and cities as well. The most significant ones are certainly Prievidza and Nitra. Nitra is an ancient city with many monuments and old narrow streets. If you head to Prievidza, you will be just a short distance from Bojnice. That destination needs no special introduction. You will find a magnificent château, a huge zoo, and a pleasant spa there. Alternatively, set off for Piešťany, perhaps the most famous spa town in this area. Mud wraps, the colonnade bridge, a photo by the Crutch Breaker statue. You shouldn't miss any of these.

The surrounding area offers numerous accommodation options. Directly in Topoľčany, you will find plenty of opportunities, ranging from comfortable hotels to budget hostels. Even in Podhradie itself, there are several private accommodations available. If you love relaxation, we recommend visiting the nearby Duchonka recreation area. Plenty of pleasant cottages are waiting just for your visit.