10 Castele Si Fortarete

10 Castles and Fortresses to Visit in Romania
Over time, in Romania were built many castles and fortresses.

They were being used either as royal residences or as points of
defense against various invasions of the Turks, Tatars, and
other people. Some of these buildings have not resisted over years,
some are in various stages of degradation, others being cared for
and are open to tourists. We tried to make a top 10 list, given the
touristic importance, but not the historical one, also considering
how these castles and fortresses are maintained today. We believe
these are the most representative ones and we recommend that you
visit when you have the opportunity, but do take in count others that
do not appear in this list. Hopefully, with time, these historical
monuments will be restored and visiting them will become within
reach
10. Suceava fortress
Suceava
fortress
is
documented on February
11, 1388, built in the reign
of Peter I (1375-1391). It
knows
the
greatest
development during the
reign of Stephen the
Great, who has invested
heavily in consolidating
and expanding the city.
The defense made it
impossible to enter the fortress without approval from the insiders.
Therefore, there were few battles Stephen the Great has lost to the
Ottoman invasion or against the armies of Poland. Over time, the
fortress is partially restored but receives back only a part of its
original appearance.
9. Deva fortress
Deva fortress is considered one of the most important fortifications

in medieval Transylvania. It was ruled by voivodes, princes, counts
and duchesses. It was given as a gift, sold or bombed. Each of its
rulers left something behind, a defensive wall, a room, a ballroom or
an entire floor. They wanted it to be used not only for defense and
occasional meetings but also for luxurious living.
Today its ruins are visible from afar thanks to its strategic
location on a hilltop that dominates the Mures Valley and the main
artery linking Romania with central and western Europe. The
fortress was built in the late thirteenth century, but traces of
occupation are much older: there are discoveries that date back to
the Neolithic or Bronze Age. The first documentary referring to the
Deva Citadel dates from 1269.
8.Neamt fortress
It was built in the 14th century by the ruler Petru Musat,

knowing its greatest fame during the reign of Stephen the Great. Like
many other fortresses in Romania, this one has made a significant
contribution to the country's defense again Turks and Poles. It was
repeatedly besieged by forces led by Mehmed the Conqueror or John
Sobieski. The Poles managed to take the fortress by a ruse: after
they lost 50 fighters and the commander of the artillery, they sent a
false epistle, which was made to look like it came from the ruler
Constantin-Voda Cantemir who was asking them to surrender.
7. Brasov Fortress
Brasov Fortress was built after 1395 being one of the largest
cities in its time, with more than three km long walls and towers
every 100 meters. Many of these bastions were supported and
financed by guilds of artisans in the city. Thus we have the Bastion,
the White Tower, the Black Tower. Currently, this city keeps some of
its elements: the central zone, the bastions that are scattered
through the city and integrated into the contemporary town. Visiting
the old town of Brasov, you will certainly see all these medieval
elements.
6.Fagaras Fortress
It is one of the fortresses that still has the water filled trench
surrounding the building. Originally built as a wooden fortress,
Fagaras Fortress went through several stages of consolidation,
expansion and modernization. The fact that it had numerous rulers,
each has left its mark on the current appearance of the building. We
mention as important rulers Michael the Brave and Apafi Mihaly. In
1696, after the penetration of the Austrian Imperial Army in
Transylvania, Fagaras became the property of the Habsburg Crown.
5. Rasnov Fortress
Built by the people of Rasnov with the help of villagers from

neighboring villages, Rasnov served as a bulwark for the defense of
Barsa against the Turkish-Tatar invasions in the Middle Ages.
Because of its 143 meters deep well, Rasnov fortress has acquired
the status of being an impregnable fortress. Thus in the 13th-century
fortress of Brasov and Rasnov were the only ones that resisted the
attacks of the Tatar hordes. Today it is one of the best-preserved
fortresses in Romania and it seems that the number of visitors is
constantly growing because of that.
4. Peles Castle
Peles Castle in Sinaia, the summer residence of the kings of

Romania, was built at the wish of King Carol I of Romania (1866-1914),
by architect Johannes Schultz, Carol Benesch, and Karel Liman, and
was decorated by famous decorators: JD Heymann from Hamburg,
August Bembe from Mainz and Bernhard Ludwig from Vienna.
Peles Castle is one of the most important historic buildings in
Romania, having a unique character and it is, by its historical and
artistic value, one of the most important monuments of its kind in
Europe from the second half of the nineteenth century.
Today, the castle was returned to King Mihai I of Romania but
will remain a museum and is open to the public for visits. In this
museum, there can be seen innumerable objects made for the Royal
Household and beyond. These include furniture, weapons, paintings,
carpets, ivory carvings.
3. Bran Castle
This castle is One of the most famous castles in Romania and

that is because it is frequently associated with the legend of vampire
Dracula. It was originally built as a defense and customs point on
the road connecting Brasov to Romanian Country. Each merchant
passing by this road had to pay the 30th part of his goods to the
customs.
The one who created the association between the Castle and
the famous Dracula is the writer Bram Stoker, who published in 1897
in London, the novel "Dracula, the vampire from the Carpathians".
The book is considered mediocre by the literary critics, but had a
big impact on readers, since in 1903 there were 6 printed editions.
Moreover, Stoker does not mention the exact place where the castle
from his novel is located, but some historians say it would be on the
pass between Transylvania and Moldova. Anyway, the fact is, that
due to the novel and films that were made, it has been created an
unbreakable association between Dracula, Bran Castle, and
Transylvania.
In fact, the legend of Blood Count, nicknamed Dracula, was
associated with Prince Vlad Tepes only in the XIX - XX. This overlap
was due to the fact that the Romania ruler was known to be
merciless to those who disobeyed or violated the laws and used,
most often, as a punishment the impalement.
Another explanation of the name Dracula could come from the

fact that in 1431, Sigismund invested Vlad II, father of Tepes, with the
Order of the Dragon, an order of chivalry devoted to all the battles
won against the Turks. The emblem was a dragon, symbol associated
with the devil. It looks like, because this emblem, Vlad received the
nickname Vlad Dracul.
2. Hunyadi castle
Or sometimes also called Corvin Castle, it is one of the most

important Gothic architectural monuments in Europe. The castle was
used mainly as a noble residence, as evidence shows by the lack of
additional defense perimeters. The history of the castle is closely
connected to the family of Hunyadi or Matthias, owners of the castle
for a long period. Today it is an important milestone on the map of
both Romanian and foreign tourists.
The ravens legend
On the Corvin family crest, there is a raven that holds in its
beak a gold ring. Legend has it that John Hunyadi was the
illegitimate son of Sigismund of Luxembourg (King of Hungary at the
time) and a woman named Elizabeth from Hateg. To avoid rumors on
this, the King would have arranged a marriage between Elizabeth
and Voicu (a warrior in the area). Sigismund gave the child a golden
ring, so he could be recognized when passing through the royal
court.
But the gold ring was stolen one day by a raven. After many
adventures, Hunyadi recovered the ring but the story was
investigated and the king decided to make a raven with a ring in its
beak as the element of the Corvins family crest.
The fountains legend.
In the castle courtyard, not far from the chapel, there is a 30meter deep well which is said to have been dug by three Turkish
prisoners in exchange for promises that they would be released if
they reach the water layer. After 15 years, after they have finished
the well, the lord of the castle didnt keep his promise. Legend has it
that the inscription on the wall of the well means "you have water but
no soul".
1.
Sighisoara fortress
Sighisoara, UNESCO protected monument since 1999, included

on the World Heritage List boasts a medieval fortress inhabited
today. It is one of the few inhabited cities in Europe and one that
was well preserved. The fortress was built starting the 13th century
via several stages of expansion and modernization. Its towers and
bastions, some inhabited even nowadays, remember the guilds that

have contributed to the building. Thus, we have the Tanners Tower,
the Tins Tower, the Blacksmiths Tower, the Tailors Ropemaker
Tower, the Butchers Tower, the Shoemakers Tower. A Special
mention deserves the monumental clock tower from the Citadel of
Sighisoara, which has long served as City Hall. Its clock was built in
Switzerland in 1648, and
its wooden figures symbolize the
weekdays. The Fortress can be visited without restrictions. The city
streets, residential houses, and gates in the style of bygone times,
offer guests a real journey back in time and a great experience!
Romania has a long and rich history. The tumultuous and
fascinating history meets the art in a castle or a fortress. And this
could not be more obvious in this country, especially because the
number of such buildings is generous. Those passionate about
history and legends can get the perfect vacation if they choose one
of these 10 destinations.
Romania is a beautiful country that has many treasures to
offer to tourists. If you choose to spend some days here, you will
certainly not regret it and you will have many stories to tell your
friends.

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10 Castles and Fortresses to Visit in Romania

Over time, in Romania were built many castles and fortresses.

10. Suceava fortress

Deva fortress is considered one of the most important fortifications

It was built in the 14th century by the ruler Petru Musat,

Built by the people of Rasnov with the help of villagers from

Peles Castle in Sinaia, the summer residence of the kings of

This castle is One of the most famous castles in Romania and

Another explanation of the name Dracula could come from the

Or sometimes also called Corvin Castle, it is one of the most

Sighisoara, UNESCO protected monument since 1999, included

bastions, some inhabited even nowadays, remember the guilds that

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