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At
30 km far from Brasov, between the Bucegi
Mountains and the Piatra Craiului Mountains,
the Bran Castle is an important national
monument and an indication mark of Romanian
tourism owing to its beauty, landscape but
also to the Dracula’s legend whose
ghost is still haunting these old places. |
The
first documentary attestation regarding
the Bran Castle is the document issued on
19th November 1377 by Louis I d’Anjou.
The people of Brasov had the privilege to
build the Citadel “working themselves
and on their expenses” … in
exchange, the king confirms that the Citadel
had 13 places in subordination. |
The
building had been raised on a 30 m high
cliff, with a strategical position, dominant
towards the passage. The citadel architecture
is made in many styles because of its 600
years existence. After the initial stage
of construction (the 2nd half of the 14th
century), in 1593, the munitions explosion
from the tower of powder manufactory leads
to its destruction. |
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It
will be rebuilt indoors. In the first half of the 18th
century, Gabriel Bethlen asks the people of Brasov “to
strengthen the citadel according to prince’s plan”. |
Thus,
a tower over the entrance of the 14th century and the
other on the eastern side were built. During this period
of time, as Virgil Vatasanu said, the exterior of the
central observation tower would have been redecorated
with renaissance elements. An inscription on 1st September
1723, in the inner yard marks the beginning of a new
stage of the citadel construction, especially regarding
the interior rooms. |
After
the fortifications made by the Austrian War Ministery
in 1878 that led to building degradation between 1883
– 1866 works of restoration were made. |
The
Bran Citadel was administered by a citadel inhabitant
and permanent guards with bows and arrows. Between 1419
-1424 the Citadel belonged to Sigismund. |
At
the end of the 15th century, the Bran Citadel belonged
to the authority of the Transylvanian Hungarians committee,
responsible for the defense of the South East of Transylvania
but from Iancu de Hunedoara it passes to the Transylvanian
rulers. The citadel of Bran accomplished successfully
its role of defender against the Turkish invasion during
centuries. |
On
1st December 1920 the City Council of Brasov
donates the Bran Castle to the Queen Maria
of the Large Romania as a thanksgiving sign
regarding its Unity on 1st December 1918. |
Between
1920-1927 the Bran Castle was improved by
the royal architect Carol Liman that transformed
it into a beautiful summer residence, surrounded
by a park with promenade alleys, lake, fountains,
and terraces and also built the House of
Tea. In 1938 Queen Maria makes her will
and write down that the Bran Castle and
its surroundings should belong to her daughter,
Princess Ileana that owns it until 1948. |
After
having been banished out of the country,
the royal family abandoned the Castle. The
Romanian State takes it and leaves it ruined
for a while. Since 1956, partially rebuilt,
the Bran Castle became a museum of feudal
art and history. In 1987 the bran Castle
is rebuilt and finally in 1993 a part of
it is repaired. According to the final result
of the research made in the last few years,
the museum is rebuilt in a modern way. |
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