Fortresses and Medieval Castles in Romania

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Medieval Fortresses and Castles in Romania

On this page you can find a short guide including the most important medieval fortresses in all Romania. These fortresses represent a great and tumultuous history with many enemy during the centuries, like : Ottoman Empire, Tartar Horde, Austrian-Hungarian Empire, Sobieski army, Russian and Germany Armies. The brave Romanian rulers built many fortresses and fortified church to protect their people and treasures.

Moldavia Province
1. Suceava Fortress - the former capital of Moldavia province in the Middle Age. The citadel was built in 14-th century by Petru Musat, developed and strengthen by Alexandru the Kind and later by Stephan the Great, who transformed in a bastion against the country's enemies. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R1 ; Route R2 ; Route R5 ; Route C2
2. Neamt Fortress - it was built on plateau overlooking the entire Moldavian Valley by Petru Musat, being attested in documents since 1395. For those times it was an impugn able fortress. The time of Stephan the Great represented the maximum glory of the fortress, area hawk's nest. They suffered hard sieges laid by Sultan Mehmet the II^nd, by Polish King Ioan Sobieski. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R1 ; Route H2
3. Hotin Fortress - in North Moldavia (today Ukrainian territory) next to Nistru River is a very important Romanian Fortress built by Moldavian rulers.
4. Soroca Fortress - was built in 14^th century, on a place were was an older Genovese fortress - Alcionia, next Nistru River. Preserved in excellent conditions, with high and massive walls and towers. Stephan the Great and Petru Rares Moldavian rulers strengthen for many time.
5. Tighina Fortress - very interesting an good preserve. Made in 14^th century by Stephan the Great. After 1535 the Ottoman Empire conquest the fortress until 1812. In this fortress was refugee the king of Sweden, Carol the XIII^nd, after a disastrous expeditions against Russia, between 1709-1711.
6. Cetatea Alba Fortress - the most impressive medieval fortress built by Moldavian rulers. It is good preserved and with a tumultuous history. Now is in Ukrainian territory.
Dobrudja (Dobrogea) Province
1. The ruins of Heracleea Fortress - with Byzantine roots, it was a Genovese fortress. After 1388 it belong to vallachian ruler Mircea the Elder. After 1417 it belong to Ottoman Empire, till 1878. UP
Wallachia (Muntenia si Oltenia) Province
1. Poienari Fortress - it was built in14^th century, on the Cetatuia Mountain by Vlad the Impaler and it was a impugn able fortress. To the fortress is more 1000 steps. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R4
2. The ruins of fortress of Negru Voda - Cetateni, one of the first medieval fortresses of Vallachia.
3. The ruins of the Medieval Fortress - Giurgiu. It was built on an island in the front of the town in the 15^th century by Mircea the Elder. It was an important strategically point.
4. The ruins of the Severinului Fortress - was built in 13^th century and resist until 1524, when it was destroyed by Turks. Inside the fortress you can find the ruins of a church.
5. Ada Kaleh Fortress - a medieval fortress situated on Simian Ostrov (an island intro Danube River).
Banat Province
1. Ruins of Carasova Fortress -a huge fortress built in 1333.
2. The Bastion of the Citadel - Timisoara. One of the few fortresses of Vauban type that can be still admired. The bastion was built between 1730-1733, had thick massive walls made of bricks.
3. Ruins of Morisena Fortress - Cenad. Was built in 10^th century.
4. Ruins of Ciacova Fortress - built between 1390-1394, today it can be seen a defense tower.
5. The Stone Fortress Siria - 1331, was a royal fortress. The most important masters here: Iancu of Hunedoara, King Sigismund of Luxembourg, Serbian despot George Brancovici, Bathory Family.
6. Arad Fortress - in Vauban style, this fortress was built between 1762-1783 by Queen Maria Theresa. The forms is like a star with six corners. Inside is ruins of a chapel.
7. The Stone Fortress of Soimus (1278) - dominate the Mures valley, during the time it belongs to Transylvanians, Turks, Hungarians, after 1688 the fortress it become a ruins.
8. Agris Fortress - in west part of Apuseni Mountains was built in 1400. UP
Transylvania Province
1. The Deva Fortress (13^th century) - built on a volcanic cone that dominates the city center from an altitude of 184m. Attested in 1269, it was one of the strongest fortresses in Transylvania. It was left in 1849 when, because of the explosion of powder reserves, the walls of the fortress blew up.
2. Colt Fortress (14^th century) - in a spectacular place close to impressive Retezat Mountains, it inspired the greatest artists like Jules Verne who write "The Castle from Carpathians". Now is only ruins. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route H1
3. The Corvins Castle - a fortress castle in Hunedoara town, very impressive with countless towers was built in the 13^thcentury on a piece of rock. Developed few centuries later, the castle mixes the Gothic style with characteristic elements of Renaissance and Baroque.
4. Alba Iulia Fortress - the first medieval fortress (it was built by ruler Gyla in the 9^th - 10^th century). Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R2
5. Fortress-Aiud, (13^th - 15^th century), among the oldest urban fortification in Transylvania.
6. Fortress Taiuti, from Trascau Mountains (built in 1276).
7. Medieval Fortifications- Sibiu, a great numbers of towers: The City Hall Tower built in the12^th century and modified in the 15^th and 17^th centuries and in 1826; The Stairs Tower - one of the oldest constructions of the town, raised in 13^th century; The Gate's Tower (15^th century); The Carpenters' Tower; The Harquebusiers' Tower; Potters' Tower; Soldisch Bastion; Powder Warehouse Tower. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R2 ; Route R4
8. Fortress with Roman Basilica - Cisnadioara, one of the most remarkable monuments of this style in Transylvania.
9. The Ruins of the Fortress Talmaciu - documentary mentioned in 1370 under the name of "Castrum Lanchron", the fortification dominates the Olt Valley when the river enters Turnu Rosu narrow path.
10. The ruins of the Fortress Medias, there are still standing in interior walls and defense towers raised between the 15-16^th century. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R2 ; Route R4.
11. Salo Fortress - Sibiel (12^th - 13^th).
12. Rural fortress Biertan (15-16^th century) - one of the most impressive constructions of this type in Transylvania. UNESCO patrimony. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R4.
13. The Fortress of Brasov - built in period of the Sigismund of Luxembourg, King of Hungary. It was built start in 1395 and it was one of the strongest fortress in Transylvania. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R2 ; Route R4 ; Route H2.
14. Rasnov Fortress - was built in 14^th century. Is one of the biggest rural fortress in country. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R2 ; Route R4 ; Route H2.
15. The Ruins of the Rupea Fortress - built in 14-16^th century. on big rock. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R4.
16. Fagaras Fortress - a beautiful fortress situated in the middle of Fagaras town, built in 15^th century. Inside of the fortress is a big castle, now a great museum and library. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in Route H1.
17. The Brasov Towers (bastions) - many fortified towers (bastions) made by people from Brasov town to protect their family and works. The most important is the Weavers' Bastion (1421-1573) when we find Brasov Fortress Museum. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R2 ; Route R4 ; Route H2.
18. Bran Castle - an impressive medieval construction knowned around the word by the Dracula legend. It was built between 1377-1382 on a rock mountain and preserve elements of original Gothic style. Today this mysterious fortified castle was restored and host a museum of medieval art. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R2 ; Route R4 ; Route H1 .
19. Feldioara Fortress - built between 1211-1225 by the Teutonic Knights. After 1457 it belongs to peasants.
20. Prejmer Fortress (15^th century) - a great fortress with many rooms on many levels. The walls has 4 m thickness and it was the powerful peasants fortress in Transylvania.
21. The Fortress from Ilieni (15^th century) - a great fortress with a great history made by Szekels people.
22. Pagans' Fortress - Balvanyos (13^th century) also named the Idolatrous Castle, is a Szekels building situated in a beautiful and wild area. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route H2.
23. Miko Fortress, Miercurea Ciuc - built in 1621 on the place of a previous fortress. Now it host the Ethnographic Museum of the province. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route H2.
24. Sighisoara Fortress - one of the most beautiful medieval fortress and the only inhabited in Europe. Situated on a large hill, it was built in 13^th century, but it has many changes during the history. We can admire: The Clock Tower, The Ropes' Tower, The Tinkers' Tower, The Tanners' Tower, The Cobblers'Tower...This fortress has many contacts with Dracula legend, and here in every July is a big and interesting festival of Medieval Art. UNESCO patrimony. Accesible in Activ Travel offers in: Route R2 ; Route R4.
25. Medieval Fortress from Targu Mures - built in the 15^th century, was expanded with 7 new towers in 17^th century.
26. The Ruins of the Ciceu Fortress - this fortress was built between 1203-1204 and it was a great fortress with a great history in Middle Age. This fortress belonged to Moldavian rulers, like Stephan the Great, Petru Rares, Alexandru Lapusneanu. Now just ruins.
27. The Ruins of the Rodna Fortress (10^th century), was an important fortress in region.
28. Medieval Fortress Dabaca - has an important place in Transylvania history, special between 10-14^th century, when become a royal fortress.
29. Medieval Fortress Bologa - was mentioned in 1322, and possessed by Vallahian ruler, Mircea the Elder, at the end of the 14^th century.
30. The Ruins of the Oradea Fortress - was built between 1114-1131, grooves with water.
31. Medieval Fortress Almas - one of the oldest and impressive medieval fortresses in Transylvania (1247-1278). Between 1545-1546 this fortress belonged to Moldavian ruler Petru Rares. Today only ruins.
32. Fortress from Simleul Silvaniei - built in 1532 by Bathory family. Today is ruins.
33. The Ruins of Feudal Fortress Cheud, an impressive fortress mentioned in 1387.
34. Fortified Castle Ardud, built in 1481. Today it preserve only a fortified tower and few ruins.