Făgăraș Fortress
Strada Mihai Viteazul 1, Făgăraș, județul Brașov
The first documentary evidence of the existence of the stone fortress dates back to 1455, when a “castellan” is mentioned, and the following year Iancu de Hunedoara, writing to the people of Brașov, mentions “our fortress Făgăraș”. Initially, in the 15th century, the fortress of Făgăraș can be defined as a military defence fortification. In terms of construction style, the fortress in the 16th century corresponds to the western fortification system introduced in Transylvania in the 14th century.
The 16th century brought with it the most important changes in the architecture of Făgărașului fortress, which would transform the defensive fortress into a castle with a strong fortification. These changes were made by Ștefan Mailat (voivode of Transylvania from 1534 to 1540 and owner of the fortress from 1528 to 1541), Gaspar Békés, owner of Făgăraș from 1567 to 1573, Ștefan Bathory (voivode of Transylvania from 1571 to 1586) and Balthazar Bathory (lord of the fortress from 1588 to 1594).
In the 17th century, architectural transformations established the current shape of the fortified complex of Făgăraș. Gabriel Bethlen (Prince of Transylvania from 1613-1629), one of the most important builders of the fortress, drew up a plan in 1623 for the construction and modernisation of the fortress, and the modernisation work continued under Gheorghe Rakóczi, Prince of Transylvania from 1631-1648.
The 16th century brought with it the most important changes in the architecture of Făgărașului fortress, which would transform the defensive fortress into a castle with a strong fortification. These changes were made by Ștefan Mailat (voivode of Transylvania from 1534 to 1540 and owner of the fortress from 1528 to 1541), Gaspar Békés, owner of Făgăraș from 1567 to 1573, Ștefan Bathory (voivode of Transylvania from 1571 to 1586) and Balthazar Bathory (lord of the fortress from 1588 to 1594).
In the 17th century, architectural transformations established the current shape of the fortified complex of Făgăraș. Gabriel Bethlen (Prince of Transylvania from 1613-1629), one of the most important builders of the fortress, drew up a plan in 1623 for the construction and modernisation of the fortress, and the modernisation work continued under Gheorghe Rakóczi, Prince of Transylvania from 1631-1648.
The transfer of Făgăraș to Austrian ownership (1696) and its transformation into a garrison signalled the beginning of a period of degradation, which is also captured in the inventory of 1726. Serving military purposes, the castle and fortress of Făgăraș lost their former elegance and grandeur.
Between 1918 and 1948 it was a garrison of the Romanian army. From 1918 to 1923, it was a camp for the White Russians, with the press of the time recording the donations that Queen Mary made to them. In 1939, the Poles found refuge in the fortress.
Between 1948-1960, the fortress of Făgăraș was turned into a prison for political prisoners, and after 1960, the fortress was dismantled and extensive restoration works began, aiming to restore the appearance of a fortified castle from the glory days of the 17th century.
Between 1918 and 1948 it was a garrison of the Romanian army. From 1918 to 1923, it was a camp for the White Russians, with the press of the time recording the donations that Queen Mary made to them. In 1939, the Poles found refuge in the fortress.
Between 1948-1960, the fortress of Făgăraș was turned into a prison for political prisoners, and after 1960, the fortress was dismantled and extensive restoration works began, aiming to restore the appearance of a fortified castle from the glory days of the 17th century.