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This fortress dates back to the eleventh-century. It had many owners over the centuries and withstood many sieges - even past the age of gunpowder which is unusual. It was never a residence, however, but always a military installation. The impressive structure finally burned down in the eighteenth century. Although reconstruction efforts were attempted, when the structure burned down for a second time, reconstruction efforts were abandoned forever. The fortress simply began to deteriorate until it ended up in the state it's in today. One of the last owners of the fortress was Countess Elizabeth Bathory. It was part of her vast Čachtice estate. She, as well as her children lived in the town of Čachtice itself in her manor house. This structure too, was completely destroyed in the seventeenth century and replaced by a new manor house built on Elizabeth's former home's foundations. Either these places were simply struck by fateful misfortune or someone did not want these places left standing in memory of the countess. The images in this gallery were taken in the summer of 2017 by František Pech, just after his return from his visit with his sister in Canada - my mother.

Historical Place: Fortress Čachtice, Čachtice, Slovkia

Location: 48°43'31.30"N, 17°45'39.69"E.