Rasnov Citadel
General info
Rasnov Citadel (Rosenau in German), is located on a rocky hilltop in the Carpathian mountains, 200m above the town of Rasnov in Romania. It is 15 km southwest of Brasov and also about 15 km from Bran Castle. The fortress is on the Bran Pass, a trade route connecting Wallachia with Transylvania. The view from the top of the castle hill is spectacular.
The first written record for the fortress is from 1331, and when the Tartars invaded in 1335, Rasnov Citadel was already strong enough to offer resistance. The castle has an upper and lower section, with polygonal perimeter walls reaching an average height of 5m. The east side is the most heavily fortified, and the walls on both that side as well as the northwest side are doubled. The defenses include 9 towers, 2 bastions, and a drawbridge. As Turkey and Austria battled over Transylvania, arms were stockpiled in the defense corridors at the walls.
The last siege of Rasnov Citadel took place in 1690 during the last Turkish invasion of Transylvania. It was damaged by fire in 1718 and 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 was abandoned after that. Reconstruction is currently being undertaken at the fortress.
Photos of Rasnov Citadel
Attractions
Bran Castle Museum is situated on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia in Brasov County. This castle is known as the homestead of Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler) and is the most visited attraction of Romania.
The Corvins' Castle impresses by the presence that dominates the city of Hunedoara. For those ones attracted by the Middle Age, the Corvins' Castle represents an unique monument in Romania and one of the most interesting in Europe.
Located in Sinaia (44 km from Brasov), Peles Castle is considered by many one of the most beautiful castles in all Europe. It was the final resting place for several Romanian monarchs including King Carol I, who died here in 1914.
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Sambata de sus, also called "Brancoveanu" Monastery is located on the valley of Sambata river. The monastery is famous for being a place of recovery, comfort and spiritual balm for visitors who halt or pray in this sacred dwelling.
Cozia (like its sister Tismana, farther off, and like the neighboring monasteries of Turnu and Stanisoara), is set in one of the most picturesque of the many carpathian landscapes which are the pride of Oltenia, this immense repository of such monuments.
Sucevita is chronologically the last and greatest monastic ensemble among the painted monasteries in Bukovina, as it has the appearance of a real fortress, with towers, buttresses and watch roads.
The Voronet Monastery is possibly the most famous monastery of Romania. It is known throughout the world for its exterior frescoes of bright and intense colours, and for the hundreds of well-preserved figures placed against the renowned azurite background.
Moldovita Monastery that one can we see today dates back to 1532 and is due to ruling prince Petru Rares (1532-1546). It has, like Sucevita, the aspect of a fortress, with imposing towers and high, thick walls (6 m high, 1.2 m wide).
The Cathedral of Curtea de Arges (early 16th century) is one of the most famous buildings in Romania, and stands in the grounds of a monastery, 1 1/2 km north of Curtea de Arges. It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas.
We know about Putna that it was the first monastery built by Stephen the Great (Stefan cel Mare). Moreover, the ruler wanted it to be his place of eternal rest. Thus, like Bogdan I and Alexander the Good, Stephen the Great meant the monastery to be the ruling family necropolis.
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Tours
Brasov Citadel
Rasnov Citadel
Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)
Peles Castle (Sinaia)
Brasov Citadel
Rasnov Citadel
Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)
Fagaras Citadel
Brasov Citadel
Rupea Citadel
Sighisoara Citadel
Brasov Citadel
Harman Fortress
Prejmer Fortress
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Explore the Transylvanian lands in the search of Dracula's true story. During day 1 you will be visiting Rasnov Citadel and Bran Castle. In the evening Brasov old city will be presented to you. A special accommodation will be taken care of for you at a lodging that is a scaled copy of the Bran Castle. On day 2 you will explore Sighisoara's Citadel followed by lunch at a restaurant located in the home where Vlad Tepes was born and raised.
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Transfers
Route:
Henri Coanda Airport (Otopeni Airport)
Sinaia
Predeal
Brasov
Route:
Henri Coanda Airport (Otopeni Airport)
Sinaia
Predeal
Brasov
Poiana Brasov
Route:
Brasov
Codlea
Fagaras
Sibiu
Route:
Brasov
Feldioara
Rupea
Sighisoara