Castles and fortresses

If you’re a history nerd, have enjoyed watching Rome or secretly still wonder what it would have been like to be a prince or a princess in ancient times, Romania shan’t let thee down! We have numerous citadels, castle and palaces, dating from ancient time, medieval times and up to fairly recent times. We’re going to tell you a little bit more about some of our favourites and the areas you can find them in.

Moldavia

The Fortress of Suceava is a medieval fortress located on the eastern edge of Suceava city (Northeast Romania); the first document about it dates from 1388. Within it, you can see rooms with various destinations: a prison, a steam room, a cellar, a chapel etc. Throughout history, it was the home of voivodes, high rank boyars, with ranks from treasurer to hetman.

Batca Doamnei Citadel is one of the oldest historical monuments preserved to date in Neamț county. The ruins of the former city are found at an altitude of 457 m, on a hill located in the south east of Piatra Neamț city.

Neamț Citadel is a medieval citadel, situated in the north west of Târgu Neamț city, at an altitude of 480 m. It is recognized as an important historic monument, originally built to withhold Ottoman attacks.

Transylvania

Bran Castle was built in 1382 from mountain and river stone, with chambers that form a mysterious maze and it is now a museum of medieval art. It holds interesting weapons, armour and furniture collections. Many legends were created around it, which start from the fact that the castle was the residence of Prince Vlad Țepeș – character who inspired the famous character of Dracula.

Karoly Castle was an important fortress in defending Transylvania. With each owner, it gained improvements changing from a simple fortified house to a great and important castle.

Sighișoara is a particularly exciting destination, as it is one of the few citadel-cities in Europe which is still inhabited! Due to its geographic position and its ambiance it was called the Pearl of Transylvania at the end of the 19th century. It first appeared in documents in year 1280, and experienced a successive evolution. It combines elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and is as impressive nowadays as it was in the past.

The Corvin Castle, located at the foot of Poiana Ruscă mountains, in an area filled with traditions, the city holds one of the most famous castles in Romania. It was designed in the spirit of Gothic canons and in time received Renaissance style elements, reminiscent of the beautiful castles of the Loire Valley (France). Built in the 14th century, the castle becomes one of the most important properties belonging to prince Iancu de Hunedoara (1406-1456).

Wallachia

Peleș Castle remains one of the most visited tourist attractions of the area. The summer residence of the royal family, artistic creation following the taste of king Carol I of Romania (1866-1914) and designed by prestigious architects and decorators, it is perhaps the most important oeuvre d’art of its kind in Romania.