It is a relic of the Hunyadi dynasty. In the 14th century, the castle was given to a Vlach knyaz Serb, or Sorb by the German-Roman emperor and king of Hungary Zsigmond as severance, restored between 1446 and 1453 by John Hunyadi. It was built in Gothic style, but has Baroque and Renaissance architectural elements. It features tall and strong defence towers, an interior yard and a drawbridge.
Built in the 14th century, on the place of an old fortification, on a rock below which flows the small river Zlasti, the castle is a large building, with tall and diversely coloured roofs, towers, windows and balconies adorned with carvings in stone.
Being one of the most important properties of Iancu de Hunedoara, the castle was transformed during his ruling. It became a sumptuous home, not only a strategically enforced point. With the passing of the years, the masters of the castle had modified its look, adding towers, halls and guest rooms. The gallery and the keep- the last defence tower (called “Ne boisa” = Do not be afraid), which remained unchanged from Iancu de Hunedoara’s time, and the Capistrano Tower (named after the famous monk from the castle court) are some of the most significant parts of the construction. Other significant parts of the building are the Knights’ Hall, the Club Tower, the White bastion, which served as a food storage room, and the Diet Hall, on whose walls medallions are painted (among them there are the portraits of Matei Basarab, ruler from Wallachia, and Vasile Lupu, ruler of Moldavia). In the wing of the castle called the Mantle, a painting can be seen which portrays the legend of the raven from which the name of the descendants of Iancu de Hunedoara, Corvini came.
In the castle yard, near the chapel built also during Iancu de Hunerdoara’s ruling, is a well 30 meters deep. The legend says that this fountain was dug by three Turkish prisoners to whom liberty was promised if they reached water. After 15 years they completed the well, but the ruler dead at that time could not keep his promise. His wife decided the destiny of the prisoniers. They have been executed. It is said that the inscription on a wall of the well means “apa ai, dar inima n-ai”, which translated into English means: “you have water but no heart”. Specialists, however, have translated the inscription as “he who wrote this inscription is Hasan, who lives as slave of the giaours, in the fortress near the church”.
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on the last picture, Alex and my cousin Meri. She was my dearest friend during my whole childhood and remained one of my most treasures memories. We were like “pech und schwefel”. I am not sure what changed now, as we are adults?! I suppose only the fact that we have some wrinkles (not many) and different hair colour. in the last 3 years she visited me several times. she was my X-mas last year, for which I will remain eternaly endebted to her. I wish she wouldn’t live that far… Meri and her brother Anti are my closest family.