Slovak Castles

These cards are so, so beautiful!! They were also sent by Emerich. 

© 2012, fotografie Ladislav Renner

 Čachtice castle was one of the boundary royal castles defending the western border of the Kingdom of Hungary. It was built in the first half of the 13th century and widened in the 15th century. 

Elizabeth Báthory lived here at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. For her sadist habits she was called ”the bloody countess”. She allegedly killed 600 young girls bathed in their blood in order to stay forever young and beautiful. 

The countess was condemned to a lifelong prison in 1611 by the Paladin Thurzo in Bytča and died in 1614. The story of the bloody countess became subject of numerous literary or theatre works.

The castle was burnt during the Rebellion of Estates by the soldiers of Francis II Rákoczi and fell in decay. Today its picturesque ruins offer a nice panoramic view. - in: http://slovakia.travel/en/the-castle-of-cachtice

© 2014, fotografie Ladislav Renner

Standing on a steep high cliff above Vah - the longest river of Slovakia, magnificent ruins of Beckov castle are a dominant feature on the horizon.

Beckov Castle is one of the oldest castles of former Austro-Hungarian Empire. The first written records of the castle date back to 1208! The legend has it that the castle was built on demand of Duke Ctibor for his clown Becko.

Among the most famous owners of the royal castle was King Matus Cak of Trencin (late 13th century), who reconstructed it extensively. In 1996 the ruins were reinforced and castle was open to the public.

Visitors can see remains of rich Gothic and Renaissance decorations, stone water tanks, water well, Gothic staircase in the castle chapel and other interesting historical architectural elements.

The castle features a magnificent view of the slopes of White and Little Carpathians. - in: http://www.slovakia.com/castles/beckov-castle/

© 2014, fotografie Ladislav Renner

The Castle of Trenčín built on top of a steep rock is undoubtedly the dominant feature of the town Trenčín and the region of Považie. The castle, which is along with those of Spiš and Devín one of the biggest in Europe.

History of the castle goes back to the age of the Roman Empire, which is proved by the inscription on the castle cliff proclaiming the victory of Roman legion II. against Germans in the year 179.

 First mentioned in 1067 as a royal Hungarian sentry fortress, it was gradually augmented until by the 15th century it dominated the northern reaches of the Hungarian Empire.

The castle fell in decay after fire in 1790, as its owners, the Illésházy family preferred to move to the more comfortable manor house in Dubnica. 

Today the castle houses exhibitions of the Trenčín Museum, documenting the history of the region and of the castle.