Čabraď Castle

Artist's rendition from 1906

Čabraď Castle (Slovak: Čabradský hrad, Hungarian: Csábrág) is a castle ruin in Slovakia near the village of Čabradský Vrbovok, in the southeast of Krupina.

Origins

The castle is first mentioned in 1276. Then it also went by the name Litava Castle,^[1] due to its position on top of the Litava Valley and its river^[2] (with a dominating position). It along with other (sentry) castles were built to protect the roads that were going through the area to the central Slovakian mines^[3] that were booming at the time. The castle was the residence of the Ders of Hunt-Poznan who are noted as being in the area from 1256.

In the 14th Century the castle is recorded as becoming the residence of Mathias Csák, around 1342 the castle began to be expanded into a more suitable fortification than it was. Some time later Cabrad was conquered and taken over by Jan Jiskra of Brandys, who was marching with his Hussite forces. Matthias Corvinus came and claimed the castle in 1462.^[4]

House of Lords and Bandits

In the early part of the 16th Century Cardinal Tamás Bakócz took over the castle and invested in its refurbishment and further expansions, he was one of the richest men in Hungary and the country's highest clerical official.^[2] All the work took place around 1520. Peter Bakoc his nephew, inherited the castle after his uncles passing—along with his wealth, after Bakoc, his sister and brother-in-law took over the residence.

In 1547 the castle was taken seized by the knight Melichar Balassa and his bandit retinue,^[2] until the king forced him out a year later in '48.

Italian Engineering

Around 1585 fears of Ottoman advances were raising in the country and vast fortification works were initiated, led by the Italian fortress architect G. Ferrari.^[2] This is probably why the Ottoman army failed in both its attempts during the years 1585 and 1602.^[2]

After these events the castle became part of the King's fiefdom, which he rewarded in 1622 to noble Peter Kohary, for his outstanding actions and efforts in fighting the Ottomans.^[2] The 17th Century was a relatively peaceful time for Cabrad Castle, going through the anti-Habsburg rebellions without much event or issue. But also around this time the road which was the castle's reasoning began to lose its importance.

Čabraď Castle, front view

Čabraď Castle

Set to Blaze

In 1750 the Koháry family gave up on Cabrad Castle as their residence, keeping it for a time as just a summer home until Ferencz József Koháry de Csábrág put the castle to blaze 1812,^[2] since then it has remained the ruin it is today, slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding forests.

References

Coordinates: 48°14′38″N 19°06′22″E / 48.24389°N 19.10611°E / 48.24389; 19.10611