August 21, 2014, is the 400th anniversary of Elizabeth Bathory's death. She died at Cachtice Castle while under house arrest as history's most prolific murderess. Bathory's life is said by some to have influenced Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula."
Cachtice Castle: Historic horror house —
August 21, 2014, is the 400th anniversary of Elizabeth Bathory's death. She died at Cachtice Castle while under house arrest as history's most prolific murderess. Bathory's life is said by some to have influenced Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula."
LMih/Creative commons
The ruins of Cachtice Castle stand in the middle of a thickly forested nature reserve. The castle was restored then reopened in June 2014, allowing visitors to stroll through the Blood Countess' former living quarters.
Cue horror film music —
The ruins of Cachtice Castle stand in the middle of a thickly forested nature reserve. The castle was restored then reopened in June 2014, allowing visitors to stroll through the Blood Countess' former living quarters.
John Malathronas
Highborn and unaccountable, Elizabeth Bathory was the absolute ruler of a patch of what is now Slovakia. With the help of three of her servants, she sadistically tortured between 100 and 650 girls to death.
Portrait of Countess Elizabeth Bathory —
Highborn and unaccountable, Elizabeth Bathory was the absolute ruler of a patch of what is now Slovakia. With the help of three of her servants, she sadistically tortured between 100 and 650 girls to death.
John Malathronas
The Countess conducted most of her torture sessions in the cellar of the old Bathory manor house. Today it's put to better use: storing wine barrels.
Torture house turned wine cellar —
The Countess conducted most of her torture sessions in the cellar of the old Bathory manor house. Today it's put to better use: storing wine barrels.
John Malathronas
The ruby red "Bathory Blood" label was discontinued in 2010. After some customer pressure, the surprisingly pleasant wine was reintroduced in 2014 along with a special vintage to mark the 400th anniversary of the Countess' death.
Bottles of 'Bathory blood' —
The ruby red "Bathory Blood" label was discontinued in 2010. After some customer pressure, the surprisingly pleasant wine was reintroduced in 2014 along with a special vintage to mark the 400th anniversary of the Countess' death.
Courtesy John Malathronas
Older generations protested when the statue of Bathory was erected in the village square. The young ones don't seem to care. Barbecues and overnight camping in the ruins were common before the castle's restoration.
Commemorating a murderer? —
Older generations protested when the statue of Bathory was erected in the village square. The young ones don't seem to care. Barbecues and overnight camping in the ruins were common before the castle's restoration.
John Malathronas
Next to the 14th-century church of St. Ladislav, the Cachtice Museum has a room dedicated to Bathory, with portraits of the Countess and other artifacts related to her life.
A glimpse into Bathory's life —
Next to the 14th-century church of St. Ladislav, the Cachtice Museum has a room dedicated to Bathory, with portraits of the Countess and other artifacts related to her life.
John Malathronas
Despite the area's bloody past, the two-mile path under oak, beech and chestnut trees, and through mulberry bushes and wild strawberries, offers a pleasant walk (or run) away from the castle.
Bloody past, bucolic present —
Despite the area's bloody past, the two-mile path under oak, beech and chestnut trees, and through mulberry bushes and wild strawberries, offers a pleasant walk (or run) away from the castle.
John Malathronas