Mikó Fortress, Miercurea-Ciuc

The Mikó Fortress, with its Italian-style bastions and regular geometrical plan, built in late Renaissance style, is the oldest and most important monument of Miercurea-Ciuc. It bears the name of its builder, Hidvégi Mikó Ferenc (1585-1635), in the documents of time being referred as the New Mikó's Citadel. The fortress construction began in 1623, ten years after Mikó Ferenc became the supreme master of Szekely seats (counties) Ciuc, Gheorgheni, and Casin. Leading figure in political life of Transylvania in the early 17th century, Mikó Ferenc, besides this function was also the prince Gabriel Bethlen's adviser, a diplomat and a columnist.

The building of the castle with a quadrilateral plan (75x70 m) was completed probably in the thirties of the 17th century. The first written document proving the existence of the fortress dates from 1631. Mikó received as a gift from Gabriel Bethlen the Szereda princely domain field and the approval for the construction of the citadel. However, his heir Mikó József was sued by Pánczélos István and Balázs from Martonfalva because his father has acquired their lands without compensation when building the citadel. After 1636 the citadel passes to Damokos Tamás, Ciuc county supreme.

On 21 October 1661, the Turkish-Tatar army led by Ali, pasha of Timişoara, invaded Ciuc county and occupied and burned the citadel. Is was reconstructed between 1714-1716 under Imperial General Stephan Steinville, as is certified in a stone inscription placed above the entrance gate of the citadel. In 1735, the Austrian colonel and engineer Johann Conrad Weiss made the plan of the citadel, the oldest known so far, which is an important document on the history and construction stages of the fortress.

Around the rebuilt fortress the Austrians developed a defense system with four Italian-style bastions, whose traces are still visible on the southern side. On the west side was built a store for gunpowder and the south-western bastion was transformed into a chapel. The chapel ceiling is decorated with late Baroque stucco decorations and the Gothic windows frames is the result of subsequent processing. The ground floor rooms have dome shaped semi-cylindrical ceilings, with dual radial curvature groins. Demarcation of levels is marked out by a belt of carved stone. Every stronghold, at the height of the bridge, has shooting goals.

The reinforced fortress was an important strategic point on the eastern border of the Habsburg Empire. Until the organization of Szekler border regiments (1764), it hosted barracks for the Imperial troops, and thereafter until 1849, headquarter of 1st Székely Border Regiment commander. During the Revolution of 1848-1849 it was headquarter of the Szekler revolutionary army leader, Gál Sándor. After the defeat of the revolution, the citadel remained in use of the army. In 1890 was built on one side and another of the gate-stronghold a building, which was demolished in 1990.

In the 1880s was filled the castle moat. By the mid-twentieth century, with little interruption, the fortress was used by the military. In 1970, after a general restoration, in the fortress was moved the Ciuc Székely Museum, founded in 1930.

Images from Wikipedia.

Neamţ Citadel

Neamţ Citadel (Romanian: Cetatea Neamţ) is a medieval fortress located near Târgu Neamţ, Neamţ County, Moldavia, Romania.

Lack of reliable information on the origins of Neamţ Fortress had resulted in several hypotheses whose reliability was often questioned. A number of prestigious historians and philologists, as A.D. Xenopol, B.P. Hasdeu, D. Onciul etc., said that - according to the papal bull of 1232 - the Teutonic Knights of Bârsa had built between 1211-1225 on the eastern slope of the Carpathians a castrum muntissimum that only the Neamţ Citadel could be. The Germanic (Teutonic or Saxon) hypothesis was acquired by many of Romanian historians, from the name of the fortress (in Romanian, Neamţ means German).

Later, the hypothesis on the beginnings of the citadel could be reconsidered. Thus, in the material dating from the lowest layer of citadel, revealed by systematic investigations carried out, were identified coins from the reign of Petru I Muşat (1375-1391). This is a definite proof that Neamţ Fortress was built in the second part of the reign of Petru I, during which Moldova has experienced a continuous political and economic development. A monument like Neamţ Fortress is a large building, which required a huge effort and considerable material resources. The only force capable of undertaking such initiatives was provided by the princes of the era of consolidation of the feudal state of Moldova.


The Entrance

Neamţ Fortress was clearly documented a few years later, in 1395, during the expedition of King Sigismund of Hungary in Moldova. Not irrelevant is that "The Neamţ from mountains" is mentioned in the Russian Chronicle that describes the cities to the east of the Carpathians, dated between 1387-1391, which could refer both to the city and the citadel.


The Courtyard

The fortress was built on a rocky triangular spur, with height of about 480 m above sea level and 80 m above the level of Neamţ River (or Ozana). It has a rectangle with unequal sides shape, adapted to the configuration of the terrain. The northern and southern sides are 38.5 and 37.5 m long, the eastern side have a length of 47 m and the western side is 40 m long. Specific for the defense system of the fortress is that the towers of the four corners were not placed outside the walls, but directly into the frame walls, and this because the natural fortifications on three sides not allowed their building outside. In front of the fourth side (N) is a ditch dating from the 15th century. The walls were 12-15 m high and 3 m thick, and are strengthened by 18 exterior buttresses.


Council Hall

In 1475, during the reign of Stephen the Great, on the northern side were added four rounded bastions, 30 m high, and the walls were raised with 6-7 m. The new access road into the citadel is represented by an arched bridge, finished by a drawbridge, and supported on 11 stone pillars with prismatic form. The exterior fortification system included also ditches and palisades.


Weapons Room

The garrison had currently 300 soldiers. The fortress was besieged many times by Hungarians, Turks, Tatars, Cossacks, Austrians, Polish, and had a particular importance in the defensive system of Moldavia. Practically, during the 14th-18th centuries, any major event in the history of Moldavia was linked, in a way or another, to the citadel.


The Prison

In the 18th century, it lost any political or military importance and began to deteriorate. During the reign of Mihail Sturdza (1834-1849) the citadel was protected and in 1866 was declared a historical monument. Between 1968-1972, the walls were reinforced, without the reconstruction of the missing portions. Nowadays, the fortress represents one of the most visited objectives of the region.

Panoramas by Michael Pop, from www.360trip.ro.

Cetatea Chioarului

Cetate, former Cetatea Chioarului (Magyar: Kővár), is located in Berchezoaia village, Remetea Chioarului commune, Maramureş County, Romania.

Political and military centre of Chioar, "Cetatea de Piatră" (the Stone Stronghold) was raised in the 13th century (but mentioned only in 1319 as Cheewar), on an isolated hill at a bend of the river Lăpuş. The stronghold is situated at 400 m altitude, on the saddle of a hill surrounded by the waters of the Lăpuş which make at the hill foot a strait among the rocks.

It was attested again after 1372, in an undated document, as a Royal citadel. In 1378, the stronghold was donated to the voievodes Balc and Drag, and to their brother Ioan, the descendants of voievode Dragoş from Maramureş, who kept it until the last representative of the family died (1555).

Between 1599 and 1600, the stronghold and the domain were handed over to Mihai Viteazul (Michael the Brave) who unified the Romanian Principalities. This is when Chioar became a district (part of a comitat (county)) with certain autonomy.

After 1662, Mihai Teleki was nominated captain of the Stronghold Chioar; later on, his family extended its influence over the whole region. By the end of the century, Rákoczi’s revolt spreads over Transylvania and the inhabitants of Chioar take the opportunity to rise against Teleki. After the Satu Mare Peace (1711), the Austrian nobiliary authorities decided the demolishment of the Chioar Stronghold in order to prevent the anti-Habsburg forces from regrouping, and it was blown up in 1718.

From The Castles Catalog. Images from Castele si cetati din Europa.

Aiud Fortress

Aiud (Hungarian: Nagyenyed, German: Straßburg am Mieresch) is a city located in Alba County, Transylvania, Romania. Aiud Fortress (13th - 15th century), is among the oldest urban fortification in Transylvania.

The fortress with stone walls and towers is located on the site of an old earth fortification which in its turn overlaps a Dacian-Roman settlement from 3rd century AD. The building complex has known two-phase construction. The existence of an initial fortress (14th century) was attested by archaeological excavations (1974-1977). According to the local Saxon tradition, its beginnings had occurred before the great Tatar invasion in the years 1241-1242, but this dating was not yet confirmed.

The pentagon-shaped citadel is fairly small, with a perimeter of 350 m and an area of 3600 sq m, but has 1.2-1.3 m thick walls, with a height of 7 m and a supplementary brick guardrail of 2 m. At the meeting angles of the walls and the middle of their long sides were built towers with four, five and seven sides. Present form corresponds largely to the second stage of construction (16th-17th centuries), but were preserved also elements of the first phase, as well as some later additions and restorations. Inscriptions that were preserved on several places on the towers and walls bring information related to those works.

The communication between towers was realized by a way of guard behind the parapet, which could be accessed through several wooden ladders. Inside the 9 towers, their upper levels could be reached by timber stairs. The towers were under the care of craftsmen guilds, which had military obligations, the artisans choosing military commanders - the so-called "officers of the guild".

Inside the fortress walls is the Calvin Reformed Church, built in late Gothic style at the end of 15th century, a hall-type church with three naves, with polygonal apse and a 64 m high tower with battlements, modified in Baroque style. The second place of worship inside the citadel is the Evangelical-Lutheran Church, built in the second half of the 19th century, on the site of a chapel built in 1333-1334. Here can be found also the parish building (18th-19th centuries), the rectory building (17th century), the bell ringer's house (18th-19th centuries), the former Evangelical parish house.

On the northern side of the citadel is the Princely Palace (16th-17th centuries), which belonged to the Transylvanian Prince Gabriel Bethlen (in 1612-1629). Now, here is the Aiud History Museum.

The plan of the fortress:
A. Evangelical-Lutheran Church
B. Calvin Reformed Church
C. Bethlen Princely Palace
D. Rectory house
E. Parish house
F. Bell ringer's house
G. Former Evangelical parish house

The towers:
1. Butchers' tower
2. Tailors' tower
3. Shoemakers' tower
4. Furriers' tower
5. Coopers' tower
6. Potters' tower
7. Kalendas tower
8. Locksmiths' tower
9. Gate tower

Photos from Aiud Online.

Costeşti-Cetăţuia Fortress

The development and the prosperity era of the Dacian settlement on the Cetăţuia Hill - also that of whole complex of settlements in Orăştie Mountains - covers the period from Burebista to Decebal (1st century BC - 1st century AD). Destroyed after the second Roman-Dacian war and the conquest of Dacia by the Romans (105-106 AD), the fortress was never rebuilt.

Costeşti Fortress was the oldest and largest "dava" (fortress in Dacian) and is situated on the left side of Apa Grădiştei River, on the Cetăţuia Hill. Cetăţuia Hill with the fortress on its top form a great guard point, with large visibility, placed at the entrance of mountain range, where the valley suddenly narrows.

The defense system of the fortress was based on a sequence of three types of fortifications: a wave of earth, a stone wall 3 m thick, flanked by three towers and a double palisade surrounding the top of the height. The Dacian wall, built 2000-2500 years ago is perfectly straight and does not let any knife blade between its perfectly polished stones.

The highest plateau was occupied by two towers-house, built of stone blocks and bricks, barracks for soldiers and an observation tower. One can reach here climbing on the 'royal stairs', 3 m wide, made of andesite. The tens of andesite were artfully fashioned and endowed with incredible sewage channels.

The tower behind the stairs has cyclopic walls pointing to the solstice and is filled with big ilmenit bricks. On terraces were identified a tumulus on the southern part of the edifice, four sanctuaries, two water tanks and three isolated watchtowers guarding the antique access road.

Costeşti-Blidaru Fortress

The Dacian fortresses of the Sureanu Mountains (also known as the Orăştie Mountains) are famous in Romania (and an UNESCO World Heritage Site). Here was the capital of the ancient Dacian civilization. Many of the stone structures are still well preserved and open for the public to see. The area is also popular with local hikers as the view from the hill tops is breathtaking. While you are in the area, it's worth visiting some of the other Dacian fortresses. The defensive system of the Dacian fortresses of the Orašţie Mountains was built in the 1st centuries B.C. and A.D. under Dacian rule. These six fortresses (Capâlna, Baniţa, Luncani-Piatra Roşie, Costeşti–Blidaru, Costeşti-Cetăţuie, Sarmizegetusa) show an unusual fusion of military and religious architectural techniques and concepts from the classical world and the late European Iron Age. The six defensive works were conquered by the Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century AD; their extensive and well-preserved remains stand in spectacular natural surroundings and give a dramatic picture of a vigorous and innovative civilization. These Dacian fortresses are outstanding examples of this type of defended site.

The Blidaru Fortress [N 45.667765, E 23.162882] is located at 4 km from Costeşti, uphill the Apa Grădiştei Valley, at an altitude of 705 m - and is considered the most powerful fortress of the Dacian defensive fortification system in Orăştie Mountains. It was conquered by the Romans in 102 AD, later it has been rebuilt by Dacian King Decebal and finally completely destroyed by Roman Emperor Trajan in 106 AD.

On an area of 6000 square meters, can be seen the traces of two twin fortresses, built at different times. The first fortress, which covers the higher plateau of the hill, has the form of a trapezoidal with four outer towers, located in the corners. The entrance was through the first tower. The residence tower, of which the outline is preserved, is placed in such a way so as to prevent enemies from spreading their forces on the inside. The fifth tower, isolated, served as guard tower in front of the entrance (Poiana Perţii tower). West of the first fortress, the second one was built in a pentagon shape, with a single tower, others are common to both fortresses. What draws ones attention here are the war platforms on the northern and southern sides. Here were found also traces of small rooms, used to shelter the defenders of the fortress and warehouses for grain and water, walls constructed of stone and connected with earth, stone, etc. On the lower terraces are four sanctuaries, consisting of alignments of tambours. The two fortresses are remarkable by the originality of the building, strategic position and the technique of building.

Here is also another building, unique in the Dacian world and built, most likely, by a Roman craftsman or under its direction. It's a water tank, building erected outside the fortification on one of the western terraces, below the second fortress, as the water source is at a lower level. It has a height of 4 meters and 6.2 m on 8 m inside, with 2 m thick walls. The walls were covered with an impermeable layer consisting of lime, sand and brick crushing, a typical Roman construction. The mortar does not contain Calcium, still has bactericide properties.

 

General layout:
A. Fortress-1;
B. Fortress-2;
1. Access gate;
2. Observation towers;
3. Residence tower;
4. Water tank.

Systematic archaeological researches started in 1953 after a few random explorations in 1925 on the Muchia Chistoarelor and in 1944 on one of the Făeragului terraces. The upper plateau with the fortification was studied from 1953 until 1959. The 2003 campaign was focused on the research of a tower identified along the road leading from Valea Făeragului towards Luncani, at "La Vămi". The length of the tower is 11.90 m at the exterior and 6.80 m in the interior, the width of the wall is 2.60 m, being built in the technique called "murus dacicus". This tower is one of the many towers placed on the terraces of the Blidaru hill, in the Făeragu-Târşa Luncani area, with a view towards Orăştie and Grădiştea valley. The archaeological material consists of fragmentary gutter and roof tiles.

Ideea and photos from Jurnal Românesc.

Ardud Fortress

Ardud (Hungarian: Erdőd, German: Erdeed) is a town in north-western Romania, in the county of Satu-Mare. Ardud was first attested in 1215, as Herdeud. It is the birthplace of Archbishop of Esztergom, and papal candidate Tamás Bakócz (1442-1521), raised from serfdom to this dignity by King Matia Corvin. Ardud is visited by many people every year, because it has a spa.

The fortress in Ardud was built in 1481 by the Transylvanian ruling prince, Bertalan Drágffy, and it was one of the strongest senioral fortress in the north of Transylvania. It had a polygonal plan with bastions on the corners. The Drágffy family owned the stronghold for a long time, but the fortress they held was destroyed during history.

On the spot of the old fortress, a palace was erected by aristocrat Sándor Károlyi, in 1730. The chapel of this palace was the site of the wedding between the great Hungarian poet Petõfi Sándor and his bride, Júlia Szendrey, on September 8, 1847. Petõfi Sándor is remembered here by a monument, which stands on the shore of a little lake.

The Károlyi palace was destroyed during World War II, and only a bastion can be still seen of it, reinforced by concrete pillars, with some remaining parts of the walls attached to it. The Roman Catholic Church from 1482, rebuilt in 1860 and 1959, preserves traces of Gothic architecture.

Oradea Fortress

The first documentary mentioning of the name of the town (Varadinum) shows up in 1113 though it seems that its foundation has been set on the bank of the Crişul Repede River, a long time before that year.


In 11th century, King Ladislas the First (1077 – 1095) built a fortified monastery with Virgin Saint Mary as patron. Later, he lays the foundations of the Roman-Catholic Bishopric of Oradea within the fortress. In June 27, 1192, Pope Celestinus III sanctified King Ladislas I. This act and the very occasion made the fortress a continuously prestigious pilgrimage place. Between 11th – 12th centuries, the fortress was a fortification (castrum), made from earthen walls and stockade, some stone walls and several wooden watch towers at the gates and the corners of the inner fortress.


In 1241, Master Ruggero di Puglia describes in the famous poem Carmen miserabile the conquest and setting on fire of Oradea Fortress, during the Tartar-Mongolian invasion. In February 1245 was the sequel to the Lyon Council – where the draft of a coherent policy of Catholic states against the Tartar threat is put forward – a wide reconstruction process starts in Oradea as well, thanks to a series of facilities given to the city. Around 1290, Roland, son of Toma - from the ruling family known as Borşa of Transylvania – has a family conflict with the royalty, to which the bishops of Bihor were loyal. As a result, he attacks the fortress under reconstruction and causes great damages.

The new medieval fortress, in heptagonal shape, was erected in 14th century; the precinct was irregularly towered and embattled. The gate was protected with two solid towers; to the south, a Gothic Bishopric Palace was erected, whose outer wall is also a siding. On the south-western side of the wall is found the second entrance to the Fortress. An impressive Gothic cathedral was erected between 1342 – 1370, with three aisles and an octagonal altar, a facade with two towers and massive abutments; ample decoration work is done inside and various altars are built.


Between 1360 – 1370, brothers Martin and George from Cluj build the statues of the three Canonized Hungarian kings: Stephen I, Ladislas I and Emerick. They will remain inside the Fortress. In May 20, 1390, the same sculptors uncover the equestrian statue of King Ladislas I, in natural size and entirely gilded, erected at the order of King Sigismund of Luxembourg (1387 – 1437). In August 25, 1401, Pope Bonifacius IX confers a privilege to the fortress cathedral, bringing it to the same rank as San Marco Church of Venice and Santa Maria Portiuncula of Assisi. Thus, the cathedral becomes a pilgrimage place for Christians from all over Europe.

In 1427, the Oradea fortress Bishopric had its own corps of troops (banderia), which consisted of 500 riders and as much infantry, recruited especially from among Romanian kings of Bihor County. The bishops Giovanni de Dominis da Arbe, leader of Varna Crusade (1444) and Perenyi Ferenc (Mohacs Battle, 1526) fell on the battlefield leading this corps. For two weeks, around Easter (March 1412), King Vladislav Jagello of Poland, accompanied by King Sigismund of Luxembourg, arrive to the fortress. Their close relationship was also facilitated by Mircea cel Bătrân, King of the Romanian Country.


Between 12th – 15th centuries, 7 royalties are buried inside the cathedral or in its churchyard: King Ladislas I, Andrew II, Stephen III, Ladislas IV the Cuman, Queen Beatrix, Queen Mary, and Sigismund of Luxembourg - Hungarian King and German Emperor. In 1367 follows Elisabeth, wife of Duke Ladislas of Opulia, the Paladin of Hungary, daughter of Nicolae Alexandru Basarab.

In 14th–15th centuries, the bishops of Oradea fulfill diplomatic assignments for Hungarian Kings at various European courts, such as: Andrew Bathori (1329 – 1245) for King Charles Robert of Anjou in Italy, at the Naples court (1333); Demetrius (1345 – 1372) for King Louis the Great at the Romanian Country kingly court - Nicolae Alexandru Basarab and in Italy at the Naples court; John Filipecz Pruis for King Matia Corvin in Italy, at Naples (1476), Urbino and Rome (1482), Milan (1487).


In 15th century was the „Golden Age” of the fortress, as it becomes an important center of Humanism and Renaissance in Central and Eastern Europe. The most important bishops of the time were Andrea Scolari, also known as „The Florentine” (1409–1426), John Vitez of Zredna (1444–1465) and Sigismund Thurzo (1506–1512). The illustrious physicist of Vienna university, Georg Peuerbach (1423-1461), builds an astronomic observatory in Oradea and, establishing the zero meridian here, calculated the sun and moon eclipses in his work, “Tabulas Varadienses”. The Canonical lecturer Vepi Peter reorganized the Capitular School of Oradea (1439–1440) and created a foundation for its students.

In February 7, 1474, the Pasha of Simendria, Ali Oglu Malcovici, perform a rapid attack on Oradea Fortress in the winter, robbing it without notice.

Gheorghe Doja's rebels armies attacked the citadel (1514) but failed to occupy it, thanks to the incoming support of the captain of the city of Făgăraş, Tomori Pál.


After the fall of the feudal Hungarian Kingdom and its division between Turks and Hapsburg, Oradea fortress was disputed (1526-1538) between Ferdinand of Hapsburg, self-declared King of Hungary, and King John Zapolya. The peace of Oradea (February 24, 1538), was the first international treaty that consecrated total separation of Transylvania from Hungary. In April 10, 1557, the fortress of Oradea was retaken from the Hapsburg by the army of Principality of Transylvania, led by Tamás Varkocs, with a mission to defend the western border of the Principality.

The political and military climate in Central Europe have imposed the building of a new fortification, adapted to the military needs. The Transylvanian princes employed Italian military architects, who produced the new pentagonal fortress, with towers on corners and defensive ditch water, in later Renaissance style.

During the Ottoman siege (September 25 to November 3 1598), Michael the Brave sent a detachment of 1500 horsemen led by Aga Lecca in support of Oradea Fortress. The Hapsburg sent also a detachment of about 2000 infantry man and 500 cavalry under General Melchior von Rodern. The Vienna Imperial Court recognized Bocskai István as Prince of Transylvania and yield it the Oradea Fortress (June 23, 1606).


After a difficult siege, which lasted 46 days (August 27, 1660), with a report of 45,000 Turkish forces against 850 defenders, due to a betrayal, the Ottomans take Fortress of Oradea and installed here the headquarters of a Pasha, that will last for 32 years. Count Ladislaus Rakoczi attacked by surprise the citadel in May 1664, in the market day, with 200 soldiers disguised as peasants, but the attempt failed when Rakoczi was shot on city walls. The Imperial army encircle the fortress and begins a long siege (July 1691-28 May 1692), completed by the surrender of the Ottoman garrison to General Donath Heissler. Between 1692-1695, the fortress was rebuilt after the plans of military engineer Baron Ernst von Borgsdorf. In the Autumn of 1693, an auxiliary group of Tatars of the Ottoman army led by grand vizier Mustafa Bozuklu tried unsuccessfully to capture the garrison of Oradea in a surprise raid.


Between 1703-1710, the Oradea fortress was unsuccessfully besieged during the conflict between rebels led by Francis Rakoczi II and Hapsburg. In 18th century, although the citadel was only a military garrison, the Austrians will continue to pay attention and to undertake major repairs and refurbishments campaigns in 1725, 1754-1755 and 1775-1777, the last finalizing all the architecture that can be visited today.


In 1793, in the fortress were imprisoned 450 French prisoners. In 1836, a great fire destroyed much of it. During the Revolution of 1848-1849, the fortress was an important headquarter of the revolutionaries. In May 16, 1857, Emperor Franz Josef I canceled by decree the military status of the fortress, but will continue to be used as auxiliary military objective and will receive compensation in the years 1883-1887.


Between WWI and WWII, it was the seat of a police school. In 1947-1952, was used as a transit (the northern wing). Between 1945-1989, the fortress was still a military objective, used both by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defense. Unfortunately, the process of degradation continues now and the authorities need substantial funds for restoration.

Ineu Castle

Ineu (Hungarian: Borosjenő, Turkish: Yanova) is a town in Arad County, western Transylvania, Romania. It is situated at a distance of 57 km from the county capital Arad, and it is the main entrance gate in Zărand Land. Ineu was first attested in documents in the year 1214 under the name villa Ieneu. It was a sanjak in Timişoara and Varad eyalets as "Yanova" during Ottoman rule.


The traces of habitation of this area are lost in the darkness of time. Archeologists have excavated finds belonging to the Neolithic (axes with hole, silex, ceramics), to the Dacian civilization, to the Roman occupation (fortress lines, ornaments, arms, millstones) and sources that attest the continuation of inhabitancy on these areas. Ineu has been the residence of a Romanian principality (cnezat), it is also well-known as a strong reinforced center.


The Ineu Castle is mentioned also as a fortress even from 1295. Having a strategic position in the defense of Transylvania, the castle had a life full of vicissitudes. It belonged to the fortresses of Ioan (or Iancu) de Hunedoara (Hungarian: Hunyadi János), it was occupied by the Turks for several times (1566, 1658), it was the residence of an Ottoman territorial unit, it was transferred in the possession of Mihai Viteazul (Michael the Brave) in 1599, it was conquered by the Hapsburgs (end of 17th century), it was a garrison of a frontier guard regiment (1700–1745). These periods and events have left their marks upon the town's development.


The developing of military technology, especially of the artillery, required the reconstruction of the citadel for the new conditions of struggle. Therefore, since 1645, the works were executed under the leadership of Gabriel Haller, who studied architecture in Italy and adopted original military solutions to suit late Renaissance style. The citadel consisted actually of two parts. First, the inner fortress with two levels, existing until today, has the form of square, with circular leveled bastions at the corners. The towers allowed effective action of artillery, the traces of openings adapted to the canons still existing. The second defense element was located outside, at a distance of several hundred meters, and was a squared stone walls belt with bastions at the corners. The walls were surrounded on three sides by ditches with water, on the fourth side flowing Crişul Alb River.


After the year 1870 it was rebuilt from its ruins in neoclassic style with late Renaissance and Baroque elements. In the period of the Revolution in 1848-1849, Ineu was an important center of the national movements, and it kept this status even in the period between the two world wars.

Dezna Fortress

Dezna (Hungarian: Dézna) is a commune located in the Dezna River Valley (about 7 km from Sebiş) in Arad County, Romania. The first documentary record of Dezna dates back to 1318. According to a legend, László Nagy Peretseny (1817) says that the village name derives from the name of Dacian king Decebal.

The most important historical monument of Dezna is the citadel situated on the Ozoiu Hill (390 m). Dominating the region and the access road to the heart of Codru-Moma Mountains, the fortress was built probably at the end of the 13th century in the center of a Romanian principality (cnezat). First attested in 1317, it was for a long time an important Royal citadel. In 1318, the domain was donated to the Losonczi family.


The fortress had a most important role in 16-17th centuries, in 1552 being part of the defense system of western Transylvania as a boundary fortress, especially after the fall of Ineu, conquered by the Turks (1566). Since 1565 belonged to Ioan Sigismund. The citadel was strengthened with new reinforcements, among which the north-eastern bastion; the architecture in Renaissance style is somewhat similar to the Şoimuş Fortress. Probably in this period in the more vulnerable sectors of the citadel were added rows of parallel stone walls, then filled with river stones, bricks and high-strength mortar.


Conquered by the Turks in 1574 and recaptured by 1596, the fortress was between 1599 and 1601 in possession of the captain of Michael the Brave, Gáspar Kornis, who facilitated the passage of the ruler by his way to Prague. Between 1601 and 1658 know had more owners, and in 1619 was donated by Transylvanian Prince Gabriel Bethlen to Marcu-Cercel Vodă. In 1658 it was conquered again by the Turks, together with Ineu fortress, and in coming decades Dezna disappeared as fortification.


The Dezna Fortress is part of a simpler family of fortifications. The remaining walls suggest a simple construction with one tower. The polygon shaped precincts have a single tower, still standing, seemingly the only outstanding feature of this fortress. Over the years have survived three major walls of the main bastion. Equally, can be distinguished the footsteps of the other walls, the contour of the inner court and fragments of the city ditches. In spite of the modest construction type it was owned by royal and important noble families.


One story says that the Turks had gathered in the citadel a large number of girls, for the harem of a military leader. Unable to escape, one of the girls to avoid the sad fate waiting them, managed to blow up the deposit of gunpowder. Recent research does not exclude an essence of truth of this legend, because some signs shows that the destruction of the citadel by explosion is very probable.

Şiria Fortress

Şiria (Hungarian: Világos, German: Hellburg) is a commune in Arad County, Western Romania, near Zărand Mountains. Documentary certified for the first time in 1169, the village of Şiria was the residence of local landlord (mid 14th century). In the next century belonged to a vast area held between 1444-1445 by Ioan (or Iancu) de Hunedoara (aka Ioan Corvin or Corvinus, English: John Hunyadi, Hungarian: Hunyadi János).

The ruin of Şiria's fortress is one of the most important touristic sights of the commune. Located on the Fortress Hill (496 m high), the citadel dates from the 13th century and was enlarged in the 15th century. The citadel is built in Romanesque style, with a massive dungeon, provided with 2-3 floors and to the top has battlements. It was considerated to be an important strategic and economic point of the region, with 110 villages subordinated.


The central body is built on a rock of irregular ovoid shape with different levels. The western wall is 24 m long, very tall and with holes. To the north are seen the remains of a dungeon, that had a basement room and communicate in the outer court through a door. The outer court is 36-38 m long and has walls almost intact, 1.3 m thick and 3.5 m high. At north is an opening that was one of the citadel's gates. Over the ditch of the fortress there was a drawbridge. The tower and the surrounding wall are the oldest parts of the fortress. The dungeon was 109 m long and 18 meters wide, and before the central body is a protective wall at a distance of 2.5 m, closing a barbicane. The surrounding wall has a length of 28 m, with only an entry from the west. The ditch surrounding the fortress had in some portions a depth of 10 m and a width of 14 m, but some parts were less steep. Underground tunnels have a height of 1.9 m and 1.8 m wide at the base. The main gate on the northeast side, have 2.9 m and two adjacent openings - a large one for the vehicles and a small one for the pedestrians. The gate in the protective was for the access over the ditch more than 12 m wide and 6 meters deep; there are another two gates, one on the western side wall of the outer court and one in the central body. Construction materials used were quarry stone and Roman bricks with the stamp of the Legion XIII Gemina. The stages of implementation of construction works were:

- The tower, with annexes, the wall surrounding the central body part (after the Tatar invasion in 1241, the second half of the 13th century);
- The central body and the thickening of the walls with buttresses (during the reign of Ioan de Hunedoara).
- Fitting the central body, the outer court and the protective wall in front of the central body (during Báthory family rule - second half of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century). Under Ottoman rule the walls were strengthened increasing safety.


A particularly important role in its life had the Romanian voivodes and cneaz (princes, rulers of a large area). For example, a document of 1440 speaks of a certain prince Ştefan of Şiria. Corvinus's possession at the start of the second half of the fifteenth century, passed in the years 1461-1464 under the rule of the Báthory family. During the revolt of Gheorghe Doja (Hungarian: Dózsa György), the city is temporarily occupied by its peasant bands. Under Ottoman rule (17th century), the fortress was conquered and was Mihai Viteazu's (Michael the Brave) military garrison between 1599 to 1600. Subsequently, the city was occupied again by the Ottomans in 1607 and held by them until 1693. For strategic reasons, Hapsburg troops destroyed the citadel in 1784.

Another important event in the history of this locality was in 1849, when the library of the Bohuş Castle was used as a place for the negotiations between General Görgey Arthur, the commander of the Hungarian revolutionary army, and the Russian general Frolov, completed by the surrender of the first.