Gherla Fortress

Gherla Fortress (Martinuzzi Fortress) built in the Renaissance style, is located on the right bank of Someşul Mic river, in Gherla. It is documentary attested from the year 1540, being built by the order of the bishop of Oradea, Gheorghe Martinuzzi, treasurer and governor of Transylvania.

The fortress was built according to the plans of the architect Domenico da Bologna, as a quadrilateral with defense bastions at the corners, surrounded by thick walls and a water ditch, and the entrance and exit of the fortress was made on a drawbridge, with access through underground tunnels.

Over time, the fortress belonged to several noble families, including the princes of Transylvania, Sigismund Báthory and Gheorghe Rákóczi II. As it was no longer of strategic importance, emperor Joseph II transformed Gherla fortress into a central prison for Transylvania. In 1913 the prison was transformed into a juvenile prevention institute, where children studied and learned various professions.

During communism, Gherla prison experienced two distinct periods: one period between 1945-1964 as a political prison, and the other between 1964-1989 as a prison for common law prisoners. After 1989, Gherla prison, one of the oldest in Romania, became a maximum security penitentiary.

Dăbâca Fortress

Cetatea Dăbâca în ruine, ascunsă printre dealurile verzi și cerul senin, evocă trecutul istoric al zonei.

Dăbâca Fortress is located on the Fortress Hill, on the upper terrace of the Lona valley. According to archaeological research, it was built in several stages, in short periods of time and evolved, from the collective fortification status, to that of the Dăbâca county residence.

The construction had a triangular shape, with a north-facing peak. Initially it had on the south-west side several waves of dirt and defense ditches, and on the other sides wooden palisades. The palisades were destroyed in the 11th century, following conflicts with the cumans and pecenegs tribes. Afterwards, the dirt waves were further raised and the palisade system was restored. The access in the fortress was through two gates, one in the north side and one in the south-west side, both with a wooden tower. At the end of the 12th century the palisades are replaced by stone walls with towers and a donjon.

The fortress was destroyed during the tatars invasion from 1241-1242. It was rebuilt, but failed to regain its original importance, its role being taken over by Martinuzzi fortress in Gherla. Currently, the remains of the fortress are partially covered with dirt. It can be visited, access is not restricted.

Bologa Fortress

Bologa Fotress, located at the base of Vlădeasa mountain, was one of the most important fortifications of medieval Transylvania. The first documentary attestation of Bologa fortress from 1304 is mentioning it under the name of Sebuswar.

The fortress was used without interruption, until the 18th century, undergoing many transformations and additions. It is particularly remarkable by the circular donjon, one of the very few preserved in Transylvania.

In 1399 the fortress was donated by King Sigismund of Luxembourg to the ruler Mircea the Elder, for his contribution in the anti-ottoman wars. The importance of the fortress increased in the 17th century, after the conquest of Oradea by the turks, when the garrison of Bologa fortress stops the turkish army from entering the Crişul Repede defile. At the beginning of the 18th century, during the liberation war led by the prince of Transylvania, Francisc Rakoczi II against the habsburg domination from Hungary, the fortress was blown up by lobonts, not to fall into the hands of the curuts, the supporters of the liberation movement. Legend has it, that among the ruins of the fort, the sword of Mircea the Elder is hidden.

The fortress is being rehabilitated.

Website: www.facebook.com/CetateaBologa

The Citadel in Cluj-Napoca

Cetățuie Cluj, un simbol al orașului, păstrează amintirea trecutului și oferă o priveliște impresionantă

The Citadel is the first Vauban-type star shape fortification in Transylvania. The construction of the fortress located up the hill on the left bank of Someş were made between 1715-1735. The plan of the fortress was made by the architect Giovanni Morando Visconti, also the builder of Alba-Iulia fortress. Inside the fortress there were various administrative buildings, a garrison and an armory.

The fortification was built with the main purpose of ensuring control over Cluj-Napoca municipality, after the passage of Transylvania under austrian rule, but it was often used also as a prison, especially during the Revolution of 1848. Here was imprisoned and executed the well known Pastor Stephan Ludwig Roth, one of the heroes of the Revolution.

Currently, there is a park on the site of the fortress, only three buildings being preserved from the fort. Also on the Citadel hill a cross was built between 1994-1997, dedicated to the heroes of the nation.

“The Annunciation” Orthodox Church

Biserica Ortodoxa Buna Vestire Cluj Napoca, o cladire de culoare deschisa cu un turn inalt si cruci pe fatada, inconjurata de copaci

One of the Romanian churches with a special architecture built in the interwar period is the “Annunciation” Church from the Iris neighborhood, Puieţilor street, no. 2. The church was completed in 1934, in the shape of a ship and is built of brick. The bell tower is a unique architectural achievement within the municipality of Cluj-Napoca. The year 2008 marks the end of the renovation works, currently the interior being realized within the classical frameworks specific to a Byzantine church.

Tailors’ Bastion from Cluj-Napoca

Statuia lui Baba Novac din Cluj-Napoca, situată lângă Bastionul Croitorilor, onorează memoria bravului comandant al lui Mihai Viteazul.

The Tailors’ Tower or Bastion is one of the few fortification towers that were part of the Old Fortress of Cluj, built in the 15th century, the first documentary attestation dating from the time of the Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary. This tower was named after the fellowship of tailors which had the obligation to maintain and guard the city from that point, being the only tower of the fortress that has remained intact so far.

A series of frightening events have taken place here throughout history. The most notable is the killing of Baba Novac, former general of Mihai Viteazul. The war hero was captured by the hungarian nobles, after the battle of Mirăslau in 1601 and burned for alleged treason. His dead body was pulled on a spear and placed on Feleacului Road, near the bastion. A statue was created in his memory and placed in front of the bastion in 1975.

 In its present form it remained since the last great reconstruction between 1709-1711, made by the austrians, when over 150 stone carts were brought. The tower was also restored between 1956-1957, when the opening of a history museum for Cluj city was wanted, but the communist authorities from that time opposed it.

Recently restored, the Tower received a new purpose: “The Urban Culture Center”, which includes a literary café, a conference room and exhibition spaces.

Website: facebook.com/bastioncluj

Academic College – House of University Men

Casa Universitarilor Cluj, o clădire cu arcade albe și detalii arhitecturale clasice, situată în apropierea unei alte clădiri istorice.

The Academic College or University House, as it is also known, was built on the foundation of the oldest theater building in Transylvania. In the 1930s the original building had reached an advanced level of degradation, so the decision was to demolish and replace it with a new building meant for various academic activities. It was built between 1934-1937, according to the project of the architect George Cristinel, with flat surfaces and the lack of ornamental elements, with an air of monumentality characteristic to the 20th century American architecture. The inner courtyard is bordered by arches and separates the two bodies of the building.

The inauguration of the building was made in the presence of King Carol II, the building also receiving the name of King Carol II College. Later, in the 1940s, it was known as the King Matthias ‘Students’ House, and since the communist years it has been called the University House. Today, the official name of the building is the Academic College.

Elian Palace

Palatul Elian Cluj, o clădire istorică galbenă cu detalii arhitecturale ornamentate și turn central, situată la colțul unei străzi.

Viktor Elian was one of the most important wine merchants of Cluj. In 1891 he decided to build a palace, this building being known today as the Elian Palace. The building, located on Horea Street, guards one of the Someș banks and presents a combination of elements characteristic to the Renaissance and Baroque styles.

“Cu Cocoş” (with Rooster) Reformed Church

Biserica Reformata cu Cocos din Cluj-Napoca, o cladire distinctiva cu acoperis verde si turn inalt, situata intr-o zona inconjurata de verdeata.

The “Rooster” Reformed Church on Calea Moţilor is one of the religious architecture monuments from the modern era of Cluj. It was built between 1913-1914 on the site of Count Nemeș property who had arranged a public space for outdoor performances. The architect Károly Kós is one of the most important architects of Central Europe and he managed to combine architectural elements of the basilica style with those specific to the Land of Calata. Its name is due to the sculpture on the southern tower, the rooster being a symbol with biblical connotations.

City Hall Palace

Palatul Primăriei Cluj, o clădire impunătoare cu fațadă galbenă și albă, detalii arhitecturale elaborate și ferestre mari, situată pe o stradă centrală.

Towards the end of the 19th century, on the old Mănășturului street, now called Calea Moţilor, an imposing building is built, which is today the City Hall Palace. At that time, the building was known as the House of Cluj County. The historical monument has preserved its administrative function over time. During the communist regime, here was the headquarters of the County People’s Council. Currently, the building houses the City Hall and the Cluj-Napoca Local Council.

The building impresses with its eclectic architectural style, with many neo-baroque elements. Significant for the palace is the clock tower, where at 09:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 and 21:00, we can listen to passages from the Romanian Rhapsody, by George Enescu.