12 of the Best Castles in Romania (Photos)

Romania is home to one of the famous castles which is Bran Castle. Bran Castle is where the grotesque king Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler) resided and ruled. He was son of Vlad Dracul and is the source of the Dracula character in our culture. You can read a terrific history of this infamous fortress here.

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But Bran Castle isn’t the only castle in Romania. There are several others, some of which are incredible. Take a look at them below and notice the various styles – fortress style and ornate palace styles.

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1. The Sturdza Palace in Iasi, Romania

Names as a historic monument in the village of Miclăușeni in the City of Iasi, Romania, The Sturdza Palace was built in the 16th century by treasurer Simon Stroici, who later on gave the property to Lupul Prăjăscu via his last will and testament. Lupul Prăjăscu’s descendants had no survivors so The Sturdza Palace was passed into the possession of the Sturdza brothers, and later on their descendants would reconstruct the palace in the 18th century.

About the Sturdza Castle

• Where: City of Iasi, Romania
• When: 16th Century
• Who built it: Simon Stroici
• Style: Gothic style
• What is it now? Architectural Monument of National Interest
• Current owner: Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina

2. Râșnov Fortress in Brașov County, Romania

Situated in Râşnov, Brașov County, the Râșnov Fortress is a historic monument and landmark in Romania that was built in the 13th century, believed to be during the rule of the Teutonic Knights in Burzenland. The fortress was besieged for the first time by an Ottoman army, 1421, then it was conquered during the rule of Prince Gabriel Báthory, in 1612 due to the lack of water upon the enemy discovered a path to a secret spring. Because of this weakness, a deep well was dug out between 1623 and 1642, believed to be made of two Turkish prisoners in exchange for their freedom.

About the Rasnov Castle

• Where: Brașov County, Romania
• When: 13th Century
• Who built it: Unknown
• Style: Architectonic style
• What is it now? Historic monument and landmark
• Current owner: Government of Râşnov, Romania

3. Pelișor Castle in Sinaia, Romania

The Pelișor Castle was built in 1899–1902 by the order of King Carol I to serve as the residence for his nephew and heir, the future King Ferdinand and his consort Queen Marie. It was designed by the Czech architect Karel Liman following the Art Nouveau style together with Queen Marie’s Byzantine and Celtic elements. King Michael I of Romania stated that Pelișor would remain a private residence for the royal family.

About the Pelisor castle

• Where: Sinaia, Romania
• When: 1899-1902
• Who built it: King Carol I for the future King Ferdinand
• Style: Art Nouveau style (Combination of Byzantine and Celtic elements)
• What is it now? Private residence
• Current owner: King Michael I of Romania

4. The Peleș Castle in Prahova County, Romania

The Peleș Castle in Prahova County, Romania was built between 1873 and 1914 constructed for King Carol I following the Neo-Renaissance style. The castle’s construction was slowed down during the Romanian War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire 1877–78, but quickly resumed the construction in the following years.

About the Peles Castle

• Where: Sinaia, Romania
• When: 1873-1914
• Who built it: King Carol I
• Style: Neo-Renaissance style
• What is it now? National Museum
• Current owner: Princess Margareta

5. Miclauseni Castle in Iasi, Romania

Names as a historic monument in the village of Miclăușeni in the City of Iasi, Romania, The Sturdza Palace, otherwise known as Miclauseni Castle was built in the 16th century by treasurer Simon Stroici, who later on gave the property to Lupul Prăjăscu via his last will and testament. Lupul Prăjăscu’s descendants had no survivors so the Miclauseni Castle was passed into the possession of the Sturdza brothers, and later on their descendants would reconstruct the palace in the 18th century.

About the Miclauseni Castle

• Where: City of Iasi, Romania
• When: 16th Century
• Who built it: Simon Stroici
• Style: Gothic style
• What is it now? Architectural Monument of National Interest
• Current owner: Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina

6. The Huniazilor Castle in Transylvania,  Romania

The Huniazilor castle, otherwise known as Corvin Castle is one of the largest castles in Europe and figures in a list of the Seven Wonders of Romania. Its construction began in the 14th century on the orders of Voivode of Transylvania John Hunyadi following the Renaissance-Gothic style. The construction took four phases throughout the past centuries to complete, and now it has been restored to its stunning form.

About the Huniazilor castle

• Where: Hunedoara, Transylvania,  Romania
• When: 14th century
• Who built it: Voivode of Transylvania John Hunyadi
• Style: Renaissance-Gothic style
• What is it now? Seven Wonders of Romania
• Current owner: Ministry of Culture

7. The Făgăraș Fortress in Transylvania,  Romania

The Făgăraș Fortress was considered one of the strongest fortifications in Transylvania built in 1310 on the site of a former 12th-century wooden fortress. The Fortress functioned mainly as a residence for various princes and their families throughout the years. The Transylvanian Prince Gabriel Bethlen was amazed at how beautiful the Italian Renaissance was, so he brought architects and glassmakers from Italy who rebuilt the fortress. Currently, Făgăraș Fortress is well-preserved and houses the Fagaras County Museum.

About the Făgăraș Fortress

• Where: Transylvania,  Romania
• When: 13th century
• Who built it: Transylvanian Prince Gabriel Bethlen
• Style: Italian Renaissance
• What is it now? Fagaras County Museum
• Current owner: Government of Transylvania

8. The Palace of Culture in Iași, Romania

The Palace of Culture located in Iași, Romania is listed in the National Register of Historic Monuments houses the Cultural Heritage Conservation-Restoration Centre hosting various exhibitions and other events. It was built in 1906 and was completed in 1925 by architect Ion D. Berindei following the Neo-gothic style.

About the Iasi Cultural Palace

• Where: Iași,  Romania
• When: 1925
• Who built it: Ion D. Berindei
• Style: Neo-gothic style
• What is it now? National Register of Historic Monuments / Cultural Heritage Conservation-Restoration Centre
• Current owner: City of Iași

9. The Hunyadi Castle in Transylvania,  Romania

The Hunyadi castle, otherwise known as Corvin Castle is one of the largest castles in Europe and figures in a list of the Seven Wonders of Romania. Its construction began in the 14th century on the orders of Voivode of Transylvania John Hunyadi following the Renaissance-Gothic style. The construction took four phases throughout the past centuries to complete, and now it has been restored to its stunning form.

About the Hunyadi Castle

• Where: Hunedoara, Transylvania,  Romania
• When: 14th century
• Who built it: Voivode of Transylvania John Hunyadi
• Style: Renaissance-Gothic style
• What is it now? Seven Wonders of Romania
• Current owner: Ministry of Culture

10. Cantacuzino Castle in Transylvania,  Romania

Built in Neo-Romanian style, the Cantacuzino Castle from Busteni was built during the early 20th century conducted by the architect Gregory Cerchez at the request of Prince George Grigore Cantacuzino. The castle was owned by the Cantacuzino family until the forced nationalization of 1948, becoming a preventorium for the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Cantacuzino family managed to win the castle back after 1989, but the family’s descendants sold it to private investors in 2004, who restored the castle and opened it to the public.

About the Cantacuzino Castle

• Where: Bușteni, Transylvania,  Romania
• When: 1911
• Who built it: Architect Gregory Cerchez for Prince George Grigore Cantacuzino
• Style: Neo-Romanian style
• What is it now? Open to the public
• Current owner: Private owners

11. Bran Castle in Transylvania,  Romania

Bran Castle, known throughout the world as Dracula’s Castle is a national monument and landmark in Romania. It was built in the early 13th century by the Teutonic Order for Dietrichstein as a fortified position in the Burzenland. The castle became popular due to Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel character Dracula, who is a Transylvanian Count with a castle located high above a valley. Dracula is often confused with Vlad III Dracula or Vlad the Impaler, a Walachian Prince with a castle due to Bram Stoker’s description of Dracula’s Castle that only the Bran Castle fits the description in all of Transylvania.

About the Bran Castle

• Where: Bran, Transylvania,  Romania
• When: 13th century
• Who built it: Teutonic Order
• Style: Medieval architecture
• What is it now? Museum dedicated to displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie.
• Current owner: Archduke Dominic, Archduchess Maria Magdalena and Archduchess Elisabeth.

12. Bánffy Castle in Bonţida, Romania

Bánffy Castle is an architectural monument located in Bonţida boasting a mix of Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical and Neo-gothic styles. It became a possession of the Hungarian Bánffy family of Lonsonc family in the late 14th century after Sigismund of Luxemburg donated it to Dénes, son of Tamás Losonci. Katalin Bánffy of the Bánffy family still owns the castle.

About the Bánffy castle

• Where: Bonţida,  Romania
• When: 14th century
• Who built it: Unknown
• Style: Baroque architecture
• What is it now? Historic monument
• Current owner: Katalin Bánffy

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