20 Can't Miss Castles of Romania
20 Can't Miss Castles of Romania
Amy Is Going Places
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Romania is home to numerous castles, palaces, and fortresses, spanning more than 1,000 years of the land's history, occupied since the era of the Roman Empire. Some have been well maintained, refurbished, and turned into museums. Others are ruins of civilizations long passed.
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Corvin Castle - Castelul Corvinilor
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Dating back to the thirteenth century, Corvin Castle began, like many castles, as a military fortress. It was transformed through renovations by Ioan de Hunedoara in the 1440's. The castle's structure, while refurbished over the years, has remained largely the same since the Renaissance.
Walking through the castle is surreal. So much of it is original, including many, many stone stairs worn smooth by centuries of footfalls. It's not hard to imagine back to those ancient times, the people who lived here, and what their lives might have been like.
Check the castle website prior to planning your visit for the most current hours and upcoming events.
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Bran Castle - Castelul Bran
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Constructed between 1377 and 1388, Bran Castle is more famously known as Dracula's Castle, due largely to the lore created by Bram Stoker and, more recently, the animated Hotel Transylvania movie trilogy.
What I personally enjoyed about Bran Castle was how the castle-turned-museum explains the real history of the structure and the historical figure of Vlad Țepeș (a.k.a. Vlad Dracula, or Vlad the Impaler) and how the man and the castle became legend.
Bran Castle is typically open daily year round. They host seasonal special events, particularly around (you guessed it) October for Halloween. Check their website for details on hours and events prior to planning your visit.
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Peleș Castle - Castelul Peleș
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The summer residence for Romania's former monarchy, Peleș Castle is located in the Bucegi Mountains of Sinaia, Romania. It is considered one of the most beautiful and unique castles in Europe.
Click the link below for your comprehensive guide to visiting Peleș Castle.
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Pelișor Castle - Castelul Pelișor
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On the grounds of the magnificent Peleș Castle is the smaller (as castles go) royal residence of Pelișor Castle.
Built between 1899 and 1902, Pelișor was a residence for the Royal Heirs to the throne of Romania, Prince Ferdinand and Princess Marie.
The architectural style is a blend of German Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Romanian, and Art Nouveau. Princess Marie herself dictated the interior design style, revealing her "romantic, mysterious personality."
Tickets to Pelișor can be bought separately or combined with ticket purchase for Peleș Castle.
Check the official site for the Peleș complex for up to date hours, prices, and ticket purchases.
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Brașov Fortress - Cetățuia de pe Strajă
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Brașov's citadel, overlooking the oldest part of the city still partially encircled by medieval era walls, dates from the 1400's.
Over the centuries, it was expanded from an original wooden structure to be a larger defensive complex. When no longer needed as a fortress, the structure was used as a warehouse, barracks, prison, and restaurant.
For many years, the fortress was privately owned and the interior was inaccessible to visitors. As of September 2023, the fortress has been returned to the City of Brașov.
The city aspires to restore the fortress and establish it as a destination for tourism and events.
In the meantime, the fortress exterior remains accessible by a footpath and (partially) by a road. It's worth the hike up for views of Centrul Veche, especially at sunset.
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Cantacuzino Castle - Castelul Cantacuzino
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Cantacuzino Castle was built in Busteni as one of 3 palaces commissioned by Prince Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino. (The other two are in Bucharest and Floresti.) The architectural style is Neo-Romanian, and construction was completed in 1911.
The castle is now a museum, an art exhibition and performance venue, an special event space, and a filming location.
Luxurious accommodations are available on the castle grounds. Visit the Check Prices link above for availability.
Check the castle website prior to planning your visit to see what exhibits are currently on display, what events are happening, and the current hours and ticketing prices.
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Neamț Citadel - Cetatea Neamț Târgu-Neamț
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Constructed in the late 1300's by Peter the First of Moldavia, Neamț Citadel was part of a larger defense system throughout what is now the northern part of Romania. It was in use through the early 1700's.
Attempts were made to convert the fortress ruins into a historic site in 1940 but halted due to the outbreak of World War II. In 2009, the citadel was finally opened as a museum complex and historical site.
Visitors to the citadel can now see such restored spaces as the Council and Judgment Hall, the Chamber of Secrets, the Black Dungeon, and the Chapel of St. Nicholas.
The citadel is regularly open year round Tuesday-Sunday. Check their website for specific events, hours, and ticket prices prior to planning your visit.
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Jean Mihail Palace - Muzeul de Artă Craiova
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Who says you have to be a monarch to have a palace? Jean Mihail was not part of Romanian's royal family. However, the title he held in his lifetime remains untouched today: richest man in the history of Romania.
Jean Mihail owned several estates, including the Palace of Craiova. A philanthropist throughout his life, his wishes were for his wealth to be used for the public good upon his passing, specifically allocating funds for projects such as village libraries, church repairs, hospitals, education improvements, and incentives for students to stay in school and complete their education.
In 1954, the palace was converted to the Craiova Art Museum. one can't help but think this would've pleased the late Jean Mihail. The museum currently boasts a collection of more than 8,000 works of art from Romania and greater Europe.
The museum is regularly open daily. Check the museum website and Facebook page for current hours, events, and ticket prices prior to planning your visit.
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Săvârșin Royal Residence - Domeniului Regal Săvârșin
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Romania has had a varied past when it comes to political styles and governance. While the current government is a parliamentarian democracy, Romania was once a monarchy. The royal family remains a part of Romania's story, and the family estate in Săvârșin is open to visitors.
You can see the beautiful, peaceful gardens, the main house, and a museum of cars owned by the royal family.
The grounds offer a cafe where you can stop for a coffee or lunch.
Events and hours change seasonally, so be sure to check the official website prior to planning your visit.
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Rasnov Fortress - Cetatea Râșnov
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The Râșnov Fortress is undergoing renovations. While work is being conducted, the gardens of the fortress are free to visit.
The fortress can be accessed on foot or by taking the incline lift, which operates Thursday - Sunday from 9:00am-5:00pm year round.
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Rupea Fortress - Cetatea Rupea
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The first documented reference to the Rupea Fortress comes from 1324, though there is evidence the site was used as far back as Dacian and Roman civilizations in the region.
The fortress is divided into the Upper Citadel, the Middle Citadel, and the Lower Citadel, guiding guests through different eras of the fortress's history.
The beginnings of a museum at Rupea Fortress date back to 1792. Guest today can discover the weaponry, guild functions, and architecture of ages past at what is arguably the best preserve fortress in all of Romania.
The fortress is regularly accessible to visitors year round for a small ticket price. Check the sites below prior to planning your visit.
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Sturdza Palace - Castelul Sturdza
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Built by George and Maria Sturza between 1880 - 1904, Sturdza Palace was constructed in a neo-Gothic style with elements of rosewood, Dalmatian marble, and murals gracing the walls and ceilings. The private library contained more than 60,000 volumes.
Sadly, many of the historic collections stocked by the original owners and their descendants were lost during or prior to the 1940's. Of the original library, roughly 4,000 pieces of literature remain intact. As for the rest, "hundreds and hundreds of books were barbarically destroyed, being burned in stoves for heating by the Russian soldiers who temporarily lived in the Castle, or used as packaging in the shops of Târgu Frumos." Of the artifacts that were preserved, much credit can be given to the devout Ecaterina Sturdza who took the most valuable religious objects with her when fleeing for refuge during World War II. These objects have now been restored to their rightful place in the palace collection.
At the on site restaurant, guests can savor a variety of locally sourced, traditional Romanian dishes. Accommodations for individuals, families, and groups are available at the adjacent Casa Macrina.
Note:
Sturdza Palace is currently undergoing renovations. While it remains open to guests, some areas may be temporarily inaccessible. Only a limited number of guests are permitted entry at a given time. Please check the palace website for current hours, prices, and updates prior to planning your visit.
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Iulia Hasdeu Castle - Muzeul Memorial Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu
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Cetatea Făgărașului
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Bánffy Castle
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Castelul Bethlen-Haller
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Palace of Culture
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Museum of the Palace of the Parliament
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Castle of Huniade
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Brukenthal Palace
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amy Is Going Places
Available for hire
US native. Former resident of Romania. Current solo female globe trotter.
I've ventured to more than a dozen countries across four continents as part of group tours, volunteer work, solo travel, studying abroad, and teaching internationally. I lived for over a year in Romania, many years in Tennessee, and several months in England.
My travel style is slow, spontaneous, and - shall we say - richly flavorful. I prefer to stay longer lengths in places instead of having a whirlwind sightseeing venture. I'll skip the chain restaurants for a hole-in-the-wall café any day of the week. I prefer a loose itinerary and remain open to what each day brings.
My favorite things to do and see as I travel are...
- EAT -
Try whatever is local. Order the special of the day. Talk with the restaurant staff.
- WALK -
It encourages me to slow down, notice, and get a feel for community.
- HIKE -
I'm a lazy hiker. By "hike," I mean a few hours at a slow pace.
- MUSEUMS -
Spend an afternoon. Read the descriptions on exhibits. Talk with the docents. Buy something in the giftshop.
- CHURCHES -
I'm fascinated by the various ways people have worshipped the God of the Bible over centuries and across borders. Many older churches are also museums or tourist-friendly spaces. Some additionally hold regular liturgical services.
- CASTLES -
Castles, fortresses, palaces, big ol' houses: these places transport me back in time. I imagine the people who built, lived in, and defended them. What would they think of how we now live?
If this kind of travel sounds ideal to you, hit the Contact Me button! I'd love to help you experience slower, more meaningful travel. We'll discuss tips for how to make the most of your trip, with low stress, reasonable safety, affordability, and lots of fun. Book one of my custom services, and we'll work together to get you wheels up on your next adventure! Follow me to easily access all the resources I create.
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