Čachtice Castle, Castle ruin at Čachtice, Slovakia
Čachtice Castle is a castle ruin in Čachtice, Slovakia, perched on a hill above the village and built from limestone walls. The remains of the fortification still show foundation walls of towers, gates and living quarters spread across several levels.
The castle was built between 1263 and 1276 under Kázmér from the Hont-Pázmány family as a border fortress in western Hungary. Over the centuries it changed hands several times and lost its strategic role after a fire.
The site connects to Elisabeth Báthory, a noblewoman who lived here and was later confined in a tower room. Visitors today still see the chambers and courtyards where daily life of the castle inhabitants unfolded.
The climb to the ruin starts from a marked trail in the village and takes around 30 to 45 minutes. The paths are signposted, but sturdy footwear is needed because some sections are steep and uneven.
The grounds host rare plant species that are seldom found elsewhere in the region. Because of these botanical features, the area was declared a nature reserve and is under special protection.
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