Râșnov Citadel, Râşnov, Brașov County, Romania
Râșnov Citadel (Cetatea Râșnov) is a historic monument and landmark situated in central Romania. It is located on a rocky hilltop in the Carpathian Mountains, 650 feet above the town of Râşnov.
First mentioned in an official document in 1331, the fortress was built by Teutonic Knights as protection against invading Tartars and was later enlarged by the local Saxon population.
Strategically located on the commercial route linking the historical provinces of Transylvania and Walachia, Râşnov Citadel differs from other Saxon fortresses in that it was designed as a place of refuge over extended periods of time. As such, it had at least 30 houses, a school, a chapel and other buildings more commonly associated with a village. The defensive system included 9 towers, 2 bastions and a drawbridge. Surrounded by 500 foot slopes on the north, south and west sides, the fortress surrendered only once in 1612 when invaders managed to find the secret route that supplied the people inside the fortress with water.
The last siege of Râşnov Citadel took place in 1690 during the final Ottoman invasion of Transylvania. Damaged by fire in 1718, it was rebuilt the following year. The next major damage occurred as the result of an earthquake in 1802. The fortress was last used as a place of refuge during the revolution of 1848 and it was abandoned after that.
The old fortress has now been restored to its former glory and the impressive remains and a museum can be visited.
Date: 6th June 2018
Location: Râșnov Citadel, Râşnov, Brașov County, Romania
First mentioned in an official document in 1331, the fortress was built by Teutonic Knights as protection against invading Tartars and was later enlarged by the local Saxon population.
Strategically located on the commercial route linking the historical provinces of Transylvania and Walachia, Râşnov Citadel differs from other Saxon fortresses in that it was designed as a place of refuge over extended periods of time. As such, it had at least 30 houses, a school, a chapel and other buildings more commonly associated with a village. The defensive system included 9 towers, 2 bastions and a drawbridge. Surrounded by 500 foot slopes on the north, south and west sides, the fortress surrendered only once in 1612 when invaders managed to find the secret route that supplied the people inside the fortress with water.
The last siege of Râşnov Citadel took place in 1690 during the final Ottoman invasion of Transylvania. Damaged by fire in 1718, it was rebuilt the following year. The next major damage occurred as the result of an earthquake in 1802. The fortress was last used as a place of refuge during the revolution of 1848 and it was abandoned after that.
The old fortress has now been restored to its former glory and the impressive remains and a museum can be visited.
Date: 6th June 2018
Location: Râșnov Citadel, Râşnov, Brașov County, Romania
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Also in: Romania
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