Čabraď Castle

Čabraď Castle is a fortress ruin sitting about 500 meters (1,640 feet) high on a hillside in the District of Veľký Krtíš. The remains include stone walls, foundations, and sections of the original defensive tower.

The fortress was built in 1276 under the name Litava Castle to protect routes to the northern Hungarian mining towns. In 1585 an Italian architect named G. Ferrari reinforced its defenses in response to Ottoman threats.

The castle reflects different building styles that show how fortress design changed over the centuries. You can see these shifts in the remaining walls and structural details.

Marked hiking trails lead up from the nearby village of Čabradský Vrbovok with designated parking areas for visitors. Clear signs along the path make it easy to find your way to the ruins.

The fortress originally named Litava Castle served not just as a defensive stronghold but as a symbol of control over lucrative mining routes in the region. This dual purpose reveals much about medieval economic power and territorial influence.