Burning of Morena and welcoming Vesna at Čachtice Castle

Location: Trenčiansky kraj, okres Nové Mesto nad Váhom, Čachtice

GPS: N48°43'30'' E17°45'39''

Venue: Čachtice

Date: 3/17/2018

Event type: gastronomic event, Easter, historic event, event for children, event for youth, TIP

Čachtice Castle is to say goodbye to winter opening its gates for all lovers of castles, history, tales and legends. The village of Čachtice, famous especially for sadly known Blood Countess Elisabeth Báthory, prepared attractive and manifold programme to welcome the spring. The third Saturday of March will therefore be dedicated to celebrations dating back to the pre-Christian era.

Morena symbolising the winter needs to be killed, burnt and drowned. Only then you can welcome Vesna, Slavic goddess of youth, life and springtime and also a poetic name of spring.

In any way, however, the delicious fruit wines provided by fruiterer from Skalica, spit roasted fishes, hot Royal Chocolate or goodies from the local farm will please your taste buds. Great atmosphere will take over also thanks to knights from Vir Fortis historical group from Zvolen. The Morena's turn would come after dark, a fire show will follow in the evening.

Make your way to Čachtice, a place full of stories, heritage and traditions. Enjoy the all-day programme this Saturday will offer and have a nice time with your family and friends in beautiful surroundings.

The wealthiest and most powerful women of her time in the Kingdon of Hungary, the “Čachtice Lady” was a member of the noble House of Báthory who were princes of Transylvania, one of the most powerful Protestant families in this part of Europe. Báthory by birth, Elizabeth married Count Ferenc Nádasdy, a famous military commander in fights against the Ottoman Turks called the Black Knight of Hungary for his bravery, great courage, but also extreme cruelty and much respected also in the Ottoman army. After the death of a popular soldier who would go on to lead the armies of Hungary against Ottoman forces threatening Central Europe, his wife became the largest estates owner in country at the time. She is considered to be the world's worst female serial killer baceause of punishing and torturing of innocent girls as well as murdering them. The number of victims vary from dozens to over 650. A legend has it the Palatine Thurzo caught Báthory in the act. Being so influental, she was kept from facing trial. Elisabeth Báthory was imprisoned for life in the Čachtice Castle for her crimes. She had lived isolated on the castle until her death in 1614.

Infamous Čachtice Bloody Lady is still present in the area. In Čachtice, a larger than life-size wooden statue of the Countess is located on the main square of the village. A copy of the dress of Elisabeth Báthory made later by hands according to her preserved and also most known portrait can be seen in Draskovich Mansion. Also, red wine from Čachtice produced by local Agricultural Cooperative Farm is named after Elizabeth. If you dare, try the unique Báthory's Blood.

Web: The Čachtice Castle

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