Râșnov Fortress
| Râșnov Citadel | |
|---|---|
 Citadel view from air | |
  Location within Romania | |
| Former names | Cetatea Țărănească[1] |
| General information | |
| Type | Citadel |
| Location |  Râşnov Brașov County |
| Country |  Romania |
| Construction started | 1211[2] |
| Completed | 1225[2] |
| Renovated | 2010 |
Râșnov Citadel (Romanian: Cetatea Râșnov, German: Rosenauer Burg) is a historic monument and landmark in Romania. It is situated in Râşnov, Brașov County, in the immediate vicinity of Brașov.
The citadel was built as part of a defence system for the Transylvanian villages exposed to outside invasions. A decisive aspect for building the citadel on the actual location was the route of the invading armies which were coming from the Bran pass and were passing through Râșnov, on their way to Burzenland. The only chance of survival for the inhabitants of the area, inclusively from Cristian and Ghimbav, was the refuge inside the citadel. Compelled to stay there for decades, the people of Râșnov and the nearby villages turned the fortification into a dwelling.[1]
History
Archaeological research revealed the existence of fortification traces on the citadel hill since prehistoric and Dacian times.
The medieval citadel of today is considered to be built between 1211 and 1225, during the rule of Teutonic Knights in Burzenland, although there is no evidence in this respect.
In 1335, during a Tatar incursion that ravage Burzenland, Râșnov and Brașovia are the only citadels remained unconquered. This is also the first documentary attestation of the fortification.
In 1421 takes place the first siege of an Ottoman army on the citadel.
In 1600, Michael the Brave along with his troops and his wife, Lady Stanca, retreat here after the defeat of Mirăslău.
The citadel is conquered only once, during the rule of prince Gabriel Báthory, in 1612. The fall was caused by the lack of water due to the discovery of the path to a secret spring by the enemy troops.
Because of the lack of an interior source of water, between 1623 and 1642 takes place the excavation of a fountain of 146 metres (479 ft).
In 1718 the citadel is partially destroyed by a fire and in 1802 is damaged by an earthquake.
In 1821 refugees from Wallachia (the resurgent movement led by Tudor Vladimirescu) retreat to the citadel.
Between 1848-1849, because the locality is being crossed by the Hungarian revolutionists and the Austrian imperial troops, the villagers retreat to the citadel. This is the last mission of the citadel as a place of refugee and defence.
In 1850, due to the political situation and the diminution of the citadel's defensive role, the fortification is abandoned, becoming a ruin. There was only one guard left who had to announce the outbreak of fires by tooling a bell.
Because of the two world wars and the set up of the communist regime in Romania, the citadel is restored for the first time barley in the years 1955-1956.[1][2]
The fountain legend
The absence of an internal water source leads to the limitation of a long term resistance. Because of this lack, it has been decided to start the digging of a well in the rocky soil, in 1623.
The legend around the fountain says that during a siege, the inhabitants of the citadel made two Turkish prisoners dig a fountain in the middle of the citadel in order to regain their freedom. The captives dug for 17 years, during which time they wrote verses from Quran on the well walls which can be seen even today. The fate of the prisoners isn't doubtless, some saying that they've been released, and others that they've been killed.
The well was used until 1850 because of a broken wheel that caused its abandonment.
The elders from Râșnov believe that deep in the fountain lies a treasure old of at least 300 years. However, recently alpinists have narrowly explored the well, without finding any trace of it.[1][3][4]
Architecture
The citadel has a simple architectonic style, similar to the ordinary houses of the time and adapted to the fortification requirements. The peasants used stones and bricks for building the walls, and woods for making the gates and platforms. The towers and walls are covered with roof tiles for preventing the fires from besiegers. The walls are 5 metres (16 ft) high and the widest part is constituted by the South wall which in some areas is 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) thick.
The citadel is composed by two courts. The exterior court is located in front of the eastern wall, edged by a fortified wall and fitted with a square tower. The interior court represents the inhabitable area, having a better protection by walls and towers.
From South, West and North the citadel is limited by sharp cliffs of about 150 metres (490 ft), very hard to climb. The whole superior precinct is defended by exterior towers gathered in northern flank and western corner. Because of its u-shape, the eastern side of the citadel was more vulnerable due to less natural obstacles. To boost its defence capacity, the citadel owns in this sector the heaviest fortifications.
The eastern, western and northern sides are protected by a continuous gallery with two ante forts and seven towers. There are only two towers on the southern side which is more abrupt.
The interior courtyard is paved with narrow paths made of stone, which ribbon among the tile-roofed houses. Inside there have been conserved the ruins of a school, a chapel and over thirty houses fated to refuge the villagers and their assets.[1]
The feudal art museum
Inside the citadel there is a museum which briefly presents slices from the local history, area's habits and crafts, and also gathers pieces and weapons from the inhabitants past. The exhibition contains the following sections: document photocopies, weapons, tools, stamps and period objects.[5]
Image gallery
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Râșnov Citadel -
Râșnov Citadel -
Interior courtyard -
Interior courtyard -
An ordinary lane -
Râșnov Citadel -
The chapel -
The fountain -
Inside the fountain -
The citadel's entrance -
The citadel's entrance -
The citadel's gates -
One of the towers -
The citadel's museum -
Râșnov Citadel -
Râșnov Citadel -
Râșnov Citadel -
Râșnov Citadel as viewed from south-west -
View from the top of the citadel; 04.12.2006 -
Panoramic view of Râșnov town -
View of Bucegi Mountains from the citadel -
Narrow alley from Râșnov Citadel -
View over the citadel ruins and the town -
Râșnov Citadel
External links
Notes
- ^ a b c d e romanianmonasteries.org. "Cetatea Rasnov". Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ^ a b c rasnov-turism.ro. "Râşnov - oraşul rozelor". Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ internetus.ro. "Comoara din fântâna Cetății Râșnovului". Retrieved 10 August 2011.
- ^ infoghidromania.com. "Cetatea Rasnov - Brasov". Retrieved 10 August 2011.
- ^ infopensiuni.ro. "Muzeul Cetatii Rasnov". Retrieved 10 August 2011.
Tourist attractions in Brașov County | ||
|---|---|---|
| Old towns |  | |
| Castles | ||
| Citadels | ||
| Museums | ||
| Churches / monasteries |
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| Canyons | ||
| Caves | ||