Outstanding Castles in Transylvania
Everyone has heard of Transylvania one way or another, but very few have ever truly experienced this amazing place to its fullest.
Transylvanian Adventures’ sole purpose is to guide you all the way through the most outstanding experiences Transylvania has to offer.
Geographically situated in central Romania, Transylvania outstands in historical, cultural, and ethnographic features, that differentiate it from all other Romanian regions.
The different ethnic groups that ruled Transylvania over history, managed to model the region into a unique world, which has preserved its archaic character.
Our journey through Transylvania is ought to take you to the heart of a different world, with fortified churches, countless Gothic and Baroque monuments of art, and castles built after a German model. Some of them are famous worldwide, while others, equally imposing, remained under territorial fame. All of them are totally worth exploring.
Let’s introduce you to some of the most amazing Castles in Transylvania!
1. Bran Castle and the legend of Dracula
Many of you might have already heard about the legend of Count Dracula, the bloodthirsty vampire in Bram Stoker’s fiction novel. What you probably don’t know is that this legend has its origins right in the heart of Transylvania, in Bran Castle.
Built in 1212 by the Teutonic Knights, Bran Castle was later rebuilt by Saxons for King Ludovic I of Hungary. After John Hunyadi restored the castle, he assigned the defense of south Transylvania to Vlad the Impaler (also known as Dracula).
Later, Bran Castle was taken over by the city of Brasov, which donated it to Queen Maria, as a recognition for her role in the Greatest Union of December 1st, 1918.
Today, Bran Castle is synonymous with Vlad the Impaler, alias Dracula. It is also one of the most know Castles worldwide, due to the legend of Dracula, written by Bram Stoker. The author never visited Transylvania, but relied on his imagination to create the Dark Count Dracula. This lead to the myth that Vlad Tepes, ruler of Wallachia, was Dracula himself.
The legend says that after a battle with the Turkish people in 1476, Vlad’s decapitated head was sent to Constantinople and his body secretly buried at Snagov Monastery, close to Bucharest. It is also said that the catacombs of the monastery hide the prince’s treasures.
Chronicles inspired by the life of Vlad the Impaler paint a macabre picture of the prince, who wanted to punish dishonesty, laziness, thievery and corruption, by hanging, decapitation, boiling alive or crucifixion.
It is not hard to imagine why Vlad the Impaler was associated with Stockers fictional character from the horror novel, which borrowed his name.
The figure of the Impaler has remained emblematic for Romania and Transylvania, regardless of the obvious exaggerations concerning his brutality. His identification with a vampire-count, a character that inspired many movies, has brought Vlad the Impaler an amazing tourist celebrity.
The contradictory figure of Vlad the Impaler still excites the imagination of all lovers of mystery and horror stories.
The castle is now a museum open to tourists. Thus, the 60 rooms bursting with the art collection gathered by Queen Maria, are waiting to be explored by those who share a passions for history, art and legends.
So if you want to finally see the land of Dracula, you must come to Bran Castle!
2. Peleș: the fairytale Castle of Transylvania
If you are a fan of ArtNouveau architecture, imposing German Baroque or even Renaissance art, then Peleș Castle in Transylvania should be on top of your travelling wishlist.
Located in a monumental garden over the beautiful city of Sinaia, Peles Castle is one of the main tourist attractions in Romania. Built for King Carol I during 1873–1883, the castle served as a holiday residence for the royal family, until 1947.
This monumental Castle has more than 160 rooms placed among three floors. Although many of them are of small size, their complexity is outstanding: Italian and German sculptures in stone and marble, a remarkable collection of paintings made by the Viennese painter Gustav Klimt, and a perfect balance between ArtNouveau, Rococo, German Baroque, and Renaissance influences.
While the imposing exterior of the Castle, with allegorical feminine characters symbolizing the four seasons, reveals King Carol’s liaison to the German culture, the interior is more intimate and eclectic.
Among the most remarkable rooms of the castle, we mention The Hall of Honor, The Great Hall of Arms, The Imperial Apartment, The Concert Hall and its lobby — The Marble Hall, Queen’s Painting Studio and The Florentine Hall.
The Castle even has a Guest’s Library and a room specially designed for George Enescu — a great Romanian composer, which happened to be the Queen’s favorite musician.
Visiting Peleș Castle of Transylvania is for sure one of the most enriching experiences you can hope for in matters of architecture, history and European art.
3. Pelișor Castle
Pelișor Castle or Pelișor Palace, is part of the same complex as the previously outlined Peleș Castle.
Situated 200 meters away from Peleș Castle, Pelișor Palace was built in 4 years (1899–1903) on King Carol’s order, for his grandson Ferdinand (son of Leopold von Hohenzollern) and his wife, Queen Maria of Edinburgh.
Queen Maria’s influence is strongly observed among the castle. She was a true artist and got involved with dedication into the design and decoration of the castle. Moreover, she actively participated in the painting process of Pelișor Castle. As the Queen was fond of ArtNouveau, this architectural style is dominant throughout the interior of the castle.
Pelișor Palace has 99 rooms displayed on 3 main floors. In many of them we can distinguish an influence of Queen Maria’s strong personality.
Among the most remarkable rooms of the castle, we mention The Grand Hall, Queen Maria’s Apartment, The Gold Room where Queen Maria’s artistic skills left a strong mark and The Tower Chamber, which was King Ferdinand’s favorite place in the entire castle.
Pelișor Castle is now one of Romania’s most important museums opened to tourists, so make sure it is among your main historical objectives.
4. Corvin Castle
When we speak about Castles in Transylvania, there is no way to leave out Corvin Castle. This a magnificent construction is said to be the most beautiful castle in Europe.
The sumptuous castle was built in the XV century by John Hunyadi, the ruler of Transylvania, on the site of a former fortress.
Many have declared Corvin Castle the most beautiful mediaeval castle in Europe, due to the impressive Renaissance-Gothic style elements, the asymmetrical tours and watchtowers, the numerous windows and its large marble halls.
The Renaissance part of the castles is a heritage from the Bethlen family, which took over the castle in the XVI century.
The Gallery and the Keep, the last defense tower, remained unchanged from John Hunyadi’s time, and together with the Capistrano Tower, are some of the most outstanding parts of the construction.
Other significant parts of the castle are the Knights’ Hall, the White bastion, which served as a food storage room, and the Diet Hall, which nowadays hosts sumptuous private parties and wedding ceremonies.
Corvin Castle’s worldwide fame caught the attention of international film producers. Thus, scenes for the movie “Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire” were filmed in the Castle, in 2016.
Besides the 4 castles described above, Transylvania gathers many other mediaval jewels, fortified churches and myriad monuments of art, of which me mention: Biertan Fortified Church, Poenari Fortress, Alba Iulia Carolina Citadel, Rasnov Citadel and Sighisoara Medieval Citadel.
As you can see, Transylvania is an amazing place, totally worth exploring. Actually, there are not many similar places in Europe, where you can find the perfect balance for a holiday: enriching history-related facts, stunning medieval castles and legends, and overwhelming art collections.
If you’re interested in going on a Transylvanian adventure in the future, let us know and we’ll gladly help you design it!
You can reach us at: office@transylvanianadventures.co.uk.
