Čabraď Castle

Čabradský Vrbovok, Slovakia, Slovakia

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Čabraď Castle is a Gothic ruin on a rocky hill near Čabradský Vrbovok in southern Slovakia, first mentioned in 1276 and likely built in the early 14th century by the Dobrakutya family to guard trade routes to mining towns after the destruction of an older nearby fortress. Strengthened in the 16th century under the Pálffy family and Italian architect Giulio Ferrari into a modern fortress with bastions, towers, and gunports, it successfully repelled Ottoman assaults in 1585 and 1602 before passing to the Koháry family, who rebuilt it as a Baroque residence. Burned in 1812 after the family relocated to Svätý Anton, its remnants of walls, a prominent keep tower, and outer fortifications now form a national nature reserve accessible by hiking trails amid scenic plains.