Romania’s castles and fortresses perhaps best illustrates the rich medieval heritage of the country.
The most popular include the 14th century Corvin Castle, built on the site of a former Roman camp, the elegant 19th century Peles Castle with its 160 rooms filled with priceless European art and, of course, the Bran Castle, built in the mid-1300s and legendary home to Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula.
The legends and stories that surround these amazing constructions have spread all over the world. We have prepared a brief presentation of these castles and their related history that will surely convince you to visit them.
Once you arrive in Brasov County, you will not want to miss one of the most important sights of the area. After becoming famous around the world, thanks to the Irish writer Bram Stoker, Bran is one of the most interesting places to visit any time of the year and a perfect choice to spend a relaxing weekend.
The construction of the Bran Castle began in 1382 on the site of an ancient fortress belonging to the Teutonic knights, the 5 years workings transforming this place into a fortress at the border of Transylvania.
The name of Vlad the Impaler is connected to the history of the place since 1459, after attacking the city’s suburbs, killing hundreds of Saxons, which made the chroniclers of the time to describe him as the most tyrant of all time.
The castle is offered to Queen Mary of Romania in 1918, when Transylvania becomes part of The Great Romania. Once the residence of the royal family, the Bran Castle is restored and rearranged.
Objects from the Habsburg family collection, including the crown and the room of the famous Irish writer can be found at the castle and you can learn more about the novel “Dracula”. A small museum located in the castles yard provides information on the life and the traditions of the old peasants in the region. Of course, the castle overlooks amazing mountain landscapes.
Hunedoara Castle, also known as Corvin Castle or Hunyadi Castle is one of the most important tourist attractions of Hunedoara County. Listed in “Top 10 European Fairy Tales”, the Hunyadi Castle is one of the largest castles in the world and the largest medieval construction in Romania.
This astonishing castle, included in the list of the most beautiful and attractive castles in Europe, was built after 1440 by Iancu de Hunedoara, being one of the most imposing Gothic and Renaissance building in our country.
In the courtyard of the castle, next to the chapel built during Iancu of Hunedoara reign, there is a 30 meters deep fountain. According to the legends, this fountain was dug in stone by three Turkish prisoners. They were promised freedom if they would have reached for water, but after 10 years of digging, when they finally found it, the master did not keep his word. It is said that the inscription on the fountain’s wall means “You have water, but you have no heart”.
The Peles Castle is one of the most important historical buildings in Romania. The history of this place begins in 1866, when King Carol I first visited the village of Podul Negru (known as Sinaia in the present time) and, delighted by the beauty of this place, decided to build a summer residence for the royal family.
Currently owned by the Royal Family, it hosts one of the most fascinating museums opened in 1953, closed during the communist era and reopened in 1990.
One of the most important tourist attractions in Prahova County, this place attracts a lot of visitors, both from the country and abroad. Here we can admire the finest collections: over 2000 paintings, statues, rugs, items of silver, glassware and porcelain, furniture and spectacular stained glasses brought from Switzerland and Germany and even a collection of weapons and armor, some of them belonging to the royal family. The Royal Library is an attraction for the ones interested in rare books with leather covers and gold embossed letters.
The Peles Castle, unique in its historical and artistic value, considered to be one of the most important historical buildings in our country and included in all the tourist guides, is a perfect choice to relax, even during the weekend. The castle is not open on Mondays.