With a ruined centuries-old castle looming up on the hill above, the Slovakian village of Cachtice could easily take a starring role in a Gothic horror film. However, exactly 400 years ago, on August 21, the horror was all too real, as the life of the most prolific female mass murderer of all time -- a noblewoman by the name of Countess Elizabeth Bathory -- came to a grim end. It's not an anniversary they're likely to celebrate in Cachtice, where Bathory's reign of terror still haunts locals, but for some -- me included -- there's a strange fascination. In the lovely Slovakian town of Trencin, my friend Martin and I are joined by two guides, Ivan Kralik and Peter Pastier, who work in the local tourism office.
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It's unknown exactly how many girls the Blood Countess tortured and killed. Reports range from 100 to 650 victims
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She was never convicted of her crimes but was kept under house arrest in Cachtice Castle
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The Bathory name is now a brand of surprisingly excellent wines called "Bathory Blood"
Cachtice
Cachtice
They drive us to the town of @placeholder, 30 kilometers away, recounting the story of the Blood Countess.
Elizabeth Bathory
Bathory
Blood Countess
Bathory
They drive us to the town of Cachtice, 30 kilometers away, recounting the story of the @placeholder.
Elizabeth Bathory
Bathory
Blood Countess
Bathory
The building stands on the site of the old @placeholder manor house.