Coasta Lunii Cheţani

Coasta Lunii is a Natura 2000 protected site located in Cheţani commune, Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania, and it has a surface of 830 ha (3% of commune's surface).

In this area, following investigations conducted by members of the Romanian Society of Lepidopterists, were identified 739 species of butterflies of which a species is new to science, one is unique in Europe, 14 new for the fauna of Romania, and many new for the fauna of Transylvania. Were identified also over 160 species of plants. For many steppe species, the steppe habitats of the Transylvania Plain are the western extremity of the area of distribution.

Importance: the area has steppe slopes of the most representative and best preserved in Transylvania, with rich flora (Crambe tartaria, Iris humilis, etc.). Among the Lepidoptera - the best studied group of invertebrates - there is found the endemic species Filatima transsilvanella, but also a series of 17 rare species, particularly in terms of zoo-geographic importance.

Vulnerability: the adversely impact of the surrounding agrarian land is felt primarily through the accumulation of waste or occasional arson. In the future, it will prevent forestation of pine and acacia, leading to drastic reduction of biodiversity, leading in extreme cases even to the complete elimination of native vegetation. In some parts, from excessive grazing can be observed a pronounced ruderalization.

Fărăgău Lake

Fărăgău Lake is a nature reserve in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania.

The area is located in the hills of Transylvanian Plain, between Tg. Mureş and Reghin. The geological formations are Tertiary and Quaternary, frequently occurring Panonian and Sarmatian formations consisting of clays, marly clays and sands. The lake is situated in the valley on the NW-SE, with an inclination of 10° and at an altitude of 360 m. Situated in the Mureş River hydrographic basin, Fărăgău Lake was formed behind of a natural dam of sediments on Sar Rivulet, being the latest natural lake in Transylvania. In the years 1984-1987, the lake was transformed into fish pond. It has a total length of 750 m, total width of 350 m, maximum depth of 4.5 m and a layer of lacustrine deposits of 3-5 m.

Plant species on around the lake reveals a series of rarities such as: Sonchus paluster, Senecio paludorus, Lathyrus paluster, Epipactis palustris, Oenante silaifolia, Hammarby paludosa, and some rare hydrophyte species specific to this biotope as: Parnassos palustris, Sium latifolium, Rorippa anphibia, Oenante aquatica, Salix rosmarinifolia, asperula rivalis, Epilobium palustre, Triglochin palustre, Carex paniculata, Geranium palustre, etc. The reserve regime of the is motivated by the presence of the areas where peat moss (Sphagnum) form associations with the fern Dryopteris thelypteris.

In terms of fauna there are a number of rare species as: the ostracoda Darwinula Zimmer, relict of tropical origin, the frog species Rana arvalis weltersterffi, but the real reason for declaring the area as a protected area is that this lake with the whole downstream fish development are a great place of refuge and feeding grounds for many species of birds (about 180 species have been observed, of which 40 nesting species).

Toldalagi Palace, Tîrgu-Mureş

The Toldalagi Palace is located in Tîrgu-Mureş, the seat of Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania.

Between 1759 and 1772, count Toldalagi László and his wife Wass Katalina raised on their property near the Franciscan monastery of Trandafirilor Square the most beautiful and representative building for the Baroque in Tîrgu-Mureş. The beginning of the construction works was delayed by the City Council, but after 1759 when Toldalagi became judge of the Royal Table he was eventually able to realize his plans.

The palace at 11 Trandafirilor Square was built in two stages (1759—1762 and 1770-1772) based on the designs of French architect Jean Louis D'Orr. He designed an U-shaped building, but it was modified later by the addition of a new wing that closed the rear part. Thus, the building is nowadays a rectangular plan, having an interior yard with open galleries. The construction works were supervised by constructor and architect Paul Schmidt. The resulting edifice has a basement covered with semi-cylindrical arched ceilings, a ground floor with rooms lined up on the two sides of the interior yard, a mezzanine and one floor, with a large reception room in the main wing, the one facing the square. A staircase leads from the ground floor to the open gallery of the top floor, with arches supported by brick posts. From here the various rooms disposed on all four sides of the yard may be entered. The ceiling of the rooms on the floor is divided into squares and decorated with floral stucco.

The most spectacular element of the building is the main façade, beautifully decorated in accordance with the artistic precepts of late Transylvanian Baroque. The sculptures that adorn the façade were created by Baroque artist Schuchbauer Antal, author of an impressive portfolio of Baroque ornaments based on anthropomorphic motifs.

The portal of the entrance has an ample basket-handle opening, with a curved keystone. The windows are rectangular and have plaster framing both on the ground floor and on the first floor. The ones on the first floor are larger and more richly decorated, with wreaths of flowers and semi-arched “eyebrow” cornices. Some of the upper parts of these arch segments metamorphose into modeled volutes. Underneath the windows of the top floor lie panels ornamented with stucco that start at the windowsill and descend to the middle area of the façade. Other important elements that articulate the façade are the segmented lesena on the ground floor, composite-capped pilasters on the first floor and the cornice that delimits the ground floor from the first floor on the outside.

On the roof there is a triangular gable with its top severed by a curved cornice the sides of which take the shape of volutes, flanked by two ovoid skylights. The cornice of the gable and the stone framing of the skylights support busts of men placed on small trapezoid supports. These statues, sculpted by Anton Schuchbauer represent Turkish soldiers with their heads wrapped in turbans. The two coats-of-arms of the Toldalagi and Wass families are sculpted on the gable, and above them a crown symbolizing the union between the two noble families. On the façade, above the commemorative plaque an oval medallion with a richly decorated frame is visible. The medallion represents the relieved image of a crow with a ring in its beak.

The building had many functions over the years, in 1786 has been a printing house, in 1920 a bank and in 1960 was installed here the History Department of the County Museum. Currently, since 1984, the building houses the headquarters of the Ethnography Department of the Mureş County Museum.

Via. Images from here, and here.

Bulci Castle

Bulci is a village in Bata commune, Arad county, Banat, Romania. Older names: Bulch, Bulchu, Bulciu, Bulcz, Bulţ, Bulţi, Bulczy, Bols, Bolş Bwlch, Wulch, Vulci.

Since the Roman period there was a Roman camp and a castrum belonging to the Legion XIII Gemina. Bricks bearing the inscription of the legion, were used to build a medieval monastery of the Benedictine monks, dating back at least the 13th century, one of the oldest and richest in the Banat. In 1241, many monasteries in Banat were destroyed by Tatar invasions. Attracted by the grandeur of the abbey and church, Tatars attacked them and terrible battles were fought here. Monastery of Bulci was destroyed by the Tatars, and was rebuilt by Bishop Bulcsú, from whose name comes the name of the village. In 14th century monastery became an important cultural center where working clerk, from which was kept a codex containing the texts of the Roman historian Titus Livius. Later in the 16th century (1551-1552), Bulci monastery was subject to the Turkish attacks in Transylvania, and the village was almost entirely destroyed. Who escaped with their lives fled to other cities of the Mureş Valley, living over one hundred years away from their village, but still keeping their Catholic faith. In 1749, the monk Berecky Hiarion founded again Bulci village, seeking the descendants of those who left the village during the Turks and rebuilding the old church. In the mid 18th century Bulci belonged to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.

The first known owners were the Varadi family (early 13th century). In the 15th century, the domain belonged to Goroy Jobt, and had approx. 1500 inhabitants. In 1664 it was owned by Janka family. In 1717, Bata had only eight houses. In 1798 it was rented by Kormelycs Karol. The castle in Bulci was built in Neo-Classical style in the early 19th century by Baron Fechtig-Fechtenberg, the owner of the domain since 1838, but received the current form around 1860. The domain was bought in March 30, 1858 by Austrian Baron Anton Mocioni (or Mocsonyi) de Foen. Subsequently, it was inherited by his son Zeno (1842-1905), who payed as a compensation to his brother Victor (who has spent his life abroad) an annual rent of 10 000 gold florins. The next owner was Baron Antoniu Marius Mocioni de Foen, MP, minister and grand master of hunting of the Royal House of Romania. The castle experienced an intense social life, so King Carol II often came here for hunting. The domain was inherited by the adoptive son of the Baron, Ionel Mocioni-Stârcea, secretary of the King. After 1940, here have been arranged rooms for Queen Mother Elena and King Michael I. Castle of Bulci was nationalized and transformed in 1949 into the seat of an agricultural association. Subsequently, here was arranged a TB preventorium. The castle was claimed by Michael Stârcea, nephew of Ionel Mocioni-Stârcea.

Located in a huge park, on the bank of Mureş River, Bulci castle is one of the most impressive buildings of its kind. On the facades of the building are two terraces with family's coats of arms carved in relief, which survived to destruction after the Second World War. Central body has a beautiful room of weapons, with a magnificent fireplace, and the park was a greenhouse. Besides the castle, Antoniu Mocioni built a church and a school for children in the village.

Ernei Castle

Ernei (Hungarian: Nagyernye; German: Rohrdachen or Arn) is a commune in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It is the northernmost commune of the county, and is located at 10 km from Târgu-Mureş.

In 1302, Ernyei István owned the area. Ernei was documentary attested in 1332, as Ernece, and in 1453 as Nagyernye. In 1602, the village was owned by Mósa Gergely, a famous leader. On September 14, 1661, Ali Pasha encamped here and imposed Apaffi Mihály I as Prince of Transylvania. The village belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary, Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary Empire. Since 1918 it belongs to Romania, after the re-unification of Transylvania with Romania. It was occupied by Hungary between 1940-1944, time when the Jewish community was exterminated by the Nazis during the Shoah (Holocaust).

The settlement began to develop in the 16th century, when the noble family Balint from Teiuş. It is said that the family changed their name in Balintitt when they were made Barons by the Emperor for bravery. During a battle, captain Balint came in front of soldiers to inspire them, and the soldiers got courage, shouting: "Balint itt" (Balint is here! aid arrived, Balint iss here!). The union of two words formed the last name, which it remained so.

Balintitt family started building the castle in the early 1800s, but during the 19th century it has undergone many changes of style. Although the building was not very high, was a massive construction. The Barons had not a remarkable social life, due to the frequent trips abroad. In those trips they have met many foreign writers - from here the passion of Baron Balintitt Jozsef for writing and books. The favorite and best kept place in the castle was his library. Because that housed his own writings, the letters of the humanist Kovacsoczi Farkas, and many books in English, French and German, which he translated into Hungarian, the library had an inestimable sentimental value for him. After World War II, the books were scattered, most of them being lost forever. All he gained from writing and publishing, was donated to the Red Cross, a foundation that led after World War I.

The last owner of the castle was Baron Balintitt Titkaroly, an officer. On March 4, 1949, the domain was nationalized and the Baron fled to Hungary, where he was arrested and imprisoned. After his release from prison, he emigrated in USA, where he became an economist. He is a survivor of the attack of 9/11 at the World Trade Center. The Baron claims his property in justice. Now, the castle houses a kindergarten and is in a very bad condition.

Mădăraş Castle

Mădăraş (Hungarian: Mezőmadaras) is a commune in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It is located 10 km north-west from Târgu-Mureş and became an independent commune when it split from Band (Mezőbánd) in 2004. Mădăraş belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary, Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary Empire. Since 1918 it belongs to Romania, after the re-unification of Transylvania with Romania. It was occupied by Hungary between 1940-1944, time when the Jewish community was exterminated by the Nazis during the Shoah (Holocaust).

The Alexius and Georgius Bethlen castle was built in 1517, nearly 200 years after the first official document of the locality. Mădăraş was then a village with only 23 houses, but after the arrival of nobles Bethlen it grew rapidly. The domain flourished overnight and soon became one of the largest and most prosperous in Transylvania. The entire area belonged to several members of the Bethlen family, until 1607, when it passed into possession of Borsos Tamás. The last owner of the castle was another Transylvanian noble family, Orban. Its descendants have lived in Mădăraş until 1948, when the whole domain was nationalized.

During the Communist regime, the castle was used in turn by an agricultural association, a restaurant, a barbershop (!). It's present state it is more than pathetic.

Sângeorgiu de Pădure Castle

Sângeorgiu de Pădure (also spelled Sîngeorgiu de Pădure; Hungarian: Erdőszentgyörgy; German: Sankt Georgen auf der Heide) is a small town in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It is located 34 km south-east from Târgu Mureş, on Târnava Mică River.

Traces of housing dating from the Bronze Age and Iron Age have been found on the territory of the city. The first written mention of the city dates from 1333, in a document where a priest from Sancto Georgio pays a sum of 6 dinars to the neighboring diocese. The city was then known by its Hungarian name Erdőszentgyörgy. Sângeorgiu de Pădure belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary, Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary Empire. Since 1918 it belongs to Romania, after the re-unification of Transylvania with Romania. It was occupied by Hungary between 1940-1944, time when the Jewish community was exterminated by the Nazis during the Shoah (Holocaust). It received the status of city in 2003.

In the early 17th century the domain came into possession of Counts Rhédey which since 1647 had seized the castle from the village center, the most beautiful and famous building in the area. It was connected to the church across the street with a balcony. The new castle was built in the 18th century on the same spot and was renovated in 1759 and 1809, in Neo-Baroque style. The new building was higher than the old one by one floor, had large vaulted salons and many murals, which fortunately have survived quite well. But after the building was nationalized in the late '40, the castle was reduced, the ceiling was made of wooden beams, and from the park that can compete with the great French gardens, remained only a small garden. In 14th century was built a church in Gothic style, which was restored in 1710 and 1935. Under the castle and the church is an phylum of tunnels and underground rooms, which were built especially for defense and as a refuge from invaders. The building is still functional and quite well maintained.

Count Rhédey János changed his domains in Hungary with his brother István and settled in Sângeorgiu de Pădure. In September 1, 1812, here was born Rhédey Claudine, a daughter of Baroness Inczedi Ágnes and Count Rhédey László, the successor of János. The small girl received a high education, being surrounded by nannies and all sorts of teachers of foreign languages and music. After she turned 15 years, the graceful teenager attended the Imperial court of Vienna, where she participated at the frenetic monden life of the Austrian capital. Chronicles of the time describe her as a predatory beauty, so she was rapidly noticed by the princes and counts from the royal court. At a ball, Claudine met Duke Alexander of Würtemberg, who stole his heart forever. The two fell in love at first sight and they decided to get married. The old Count, Rhédey Ferenc, stubbornly opposed due to the difference of rank of nobility which exists between the two ones. Only in 1835, after the death of Count, Claudine and Alexander married. Their marriage was fulfilled and blessed by the birth of three children: Claudia, Ferenc and Amalia. In 1841 Claudine died prematurely in Vienna and was buried in Sângeorgiu de Pădure. Duke Alexander was so marked by the death of his beautiful wife, that he left the Imperial court and retired for the rest of the days on the estate of Sângeorgiu. Some stories say that, in order to have always his beloved near him, Duke would have put the heart in a box of silver, which he carried with him throughout his life.

The only son of the couple, Ferenc Würtemberg-Rhédey met at a ball Princess Mary Adelaide. A new romance and a wedding like in stories marked the beginning of ascension to the throne of the United Kingdom. Their daughter, Mary Prinzessin von Teck, married George, grandson of Queen Victoria of Great Britain and grandfather of Elizabeth II. Their son, George VI married the Greek princess Marina (Lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon), which had a daughter, Elizabeth II, Queen of England.

Voivodeni Castle

Voivodeni (Hungarian: Vajdaszentivány; German: Johannisdorf) is a village in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It is located 25 km north of Târgu Mureş, and it was documentary attested in 1332 as Sancto Johanne, and in 1366 as Marosszentiványa. Voivodeni belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary, Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary Empire. During the 1848 Revolution, there was a battle between the Imperial army and the Szeklers. Since 1918 it belongs to Romania, after the re-unification of Transylvania with Romania. It was occupied by Hungary between 1940-1944, time when the Jewish community was exterminated by the Nazis.

The Zichy-Horváth complex is a wonderful example of Baroque architecture in the 18th century in Transylvania. The old building was owned by Franciscan order, and the Kemény family is the first known owner of the domain. In 1829, the Voivodeni domain was inherited by Samuel Kemény II, which in 1841 donated the archive of manuscripts to the library of Transylvanian Museum founded in 1842. The single-storey high building has an impressive aspect. Supported by eight columns with Corinthian capitels, indoor portico has a classical triangular fronton decorated with the Bethlen Kata family coat of arms and an urn. The Empire-style windows have frames decorated in the classical Baroque manner.

The next owner was the Klebelsberg family. After the Second World War, the domain was nationalized, but recently was returned to its legitimate owner, Melanie Georgina Huberta Josefa Antonia, Countess of Zich and Vasonkeo, who lived in the castle until 1949. After the nationalization, only two buildings of the complex preserved their original form. The main building is currently in good condition, was recently renovated and now operates as a cultural center, library and ethnographic museum. The manor stables were converted into a mill.

Sângeorgiu de Mureş Castle

Sângeorgiu de Mureş (Hungarian: Marosszentgyörgy) is a commune in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania, situated at 320m altitude, at 3 km of Târgu-Mureş. Build over a Daco-Roman rural settlement, the village is documentary certified in 1332. Then, there was a Franciscan friary, Sacerdos de Sancto Georgio, led by a monk named Fabianus.

In 1549, the Petki family built in Sângeorgiu de Mureş the first castle, surrounded by fortress walls. In 1640, Petki Istvan built a new stone castle, along the village's main street, on a hill with a magnificent panorama. The castle was built in late Renaissance style, and modified in Baroque style in 1759. In 1870, the Mariaffi family rebuilt the castle with elements of Neoclassical and Empire styles. Construction was completed with some extraordinary costs, and for the decorations were brought craftsmen and architects from Vienna. The park with an impressive arboretum, ornamental bushes, flowers and a lake had about 7 hectares.

The heir of the domain, Mariaffy Lajos, lives in Canada and wants to sell it. The castle is now in an advanced state of decay.

Sânpaul Castle

Sânpaul (Hungarian: Kerelőszentpál, Szentpál; German: Paulsdorf) is a commune in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It is located on Mureş River, 20 km west from Târgu-Mureş.

Sânpaul village was documentary attested in 1332 as Sancta Paulo, in the 'Târnava Minor Archdeaconry Register', page 614, where is noted that Szent Pál village paid between 1332-1337 a contribution of 40 dinars to Vatican. It seems that at the time existed already here a fortification made of stone and wood - in another document it is reminded that in 1263 people of Kerelew (Chirileu, a village belonging to Sânpaul commune) were send to defend the citadel.

The first castle was built by Count Alardi Ferenc, at an unknown date. The first owner of the village was Szentpáli Mihály. When all his heirs died, the village was taken by one of the sons of King Matthias Corvinus. In 1486 the estate became the property Szentgyörgyi family, then in 1511 Ferenc and Márton, sons of a remote heir of Szentpáli family, were the next owners. Other masters followed, until the village became the property of Báthory family. In 1575 here was a battle for the possession of Transylvania, between Prince Báthory István and hostile nobles led by Békés Gáspár. During this battle, the castle was destroyed.

In 1609, Báthory Gábor donated the domain to Haller brothers - István, György and Zsigmond. The Haller family originated from Nürnberg, Germany. In April 1699, they became Barons, and on January 15 1719 became Counts. In 1610, Haller István began the reconstruction of the castle, which was completed in 1674 by his son, Haller János. It was destroyed again during the Kuruc Uprising (1703–1711, Romanian: Războiul curuţilor) against the Habsburgs, led by Rákóczi Ferenc II. The Medieval remains of the castle were demolished in the mid 18th century. It was built also a chapel, between 1745-1760. Followed a new reconstruction, but the castle was significantly damaged again in 1945, during WWII. The Haller family owned the Sânpaul domain until 1949, when all properties have been confiscated and nationalized. Near the castle was a vast arboretum with many rare and exotic species, and an ornamental lake. It seems that it was also a secret tunnel between the castle and the chapel on the hill.

In 1960, the castle was rebuilt by the 'Authority for Historical Monuments'. During the Communist regime, it was used as site for an agricultural association, vegetable storage, furniture storage, temporary home for people affected by floods in the '70. After 1990, it was claimed by the daughter of Count Haller, who donated it to the Roman-Catholic Archdiocese of Alba-Iulia.

Ancient legends speak of a terrible curse that still haunts the castle in Sânpaul. It is said that a gypsy witch, angered by the cruelty of Count Alardi Ferenc that unjustly whipped his husband, cursed the family and the castle to eternal desolation. Since then, the troubles followed the owners and the noble edifice which they lived. The castle was built three times and three times reached the decay and desolation.

Lăpuşna Castle

Lăpuşna is a village belonging to Ibăneşti commune, Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It is located in Gurghiu Mountains, 45 km far for Reghin, in an area of outstanding beauty.

The story of the Lăpuşna Hunting Castle (or the Royal Hunting House) starts in 1923, when King Ferdinand I of Romania (1914-1927) had visited for the first time the area of Gurghiu Mountains. Charmed by the picturesque beauty of the landscapes, he decided to build in Lăpuşna a hunting lodge. The castle was built between 1925-1926.

The ensemble is composed of of 7 buildings with 35 rooms and a park of 4 hectares. It seems that the firs planted around the buildings form the contour of Romania. Not far is the wooden Lăpuşna Monastery (1779), brought here from Comori village by King Carol II, church that served as a place of worship for the Royal House. Once the relocation of the church, were brought here icons which proves the strong links between Moldavia and Transylvania during the 18th century.

The Hunting Castle was owned by the Royal House of Romania. King Ferdinand I, King Carol II (1930-1940) and King Michael I (1927-1930 and 1940-1947) often came here to hunt. It was nationalized in 1947, and was administrated by the commune of Ibăneşti.

Then, the castle became the favorite hunting place of the Ceauşescu family, the dictator bringing here numerous heads of state as Nikita Khrushchev, Todor Jivkov or Josip Broz Tito. Ceauşescu used the castle at least three times a year.

After the fall of Communism in 1990, the castle was used as a hunting base by Ion Ţiriac, Prince Dimitrie Sturdza, and many American and European hunters. Here were established several world records for trophies of Carpathian brown bear, black goat and deer. In total, there were obtained more than 300 gold medals for hunting trophies. Here is also a good place for trout fishing in Gurghiu River.

Images from here.

Gurghiu Castle

Gurghiu (Hungarian: Görgényszentimre, German: Görgen) is a commune in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It is located on Gurghiu River, tributary of the Mureş River, 14 km east of Reghin. Of the ten villages components of the commune, ethnic Romanian population is predominant in nine of them, while in Glajărie village Hungarians constitute an absolute majority.

Gurghiu was documentary attested in 1248 under the name of Gurgen, and over time has been mentioned in documents written in Latin, Romanian or Hungarian under different names as Gőrgény, Gergin, St. Emrich, Gergen, Geurgény, Girgn, Görgen, Villa sancti Emerici, Gurgiu-a-Sint-Imbrului, Giurgiu Sânt Imbrului, Gurghií, Gurdghiu. Some linguists and ethnologists suggest that the name is of Petcheneg origin, meaning 'hornbeam forest'. In the Middle Ages there existed a medieval fortress on a hill 500 m high, that served as favorite residence of the principles of Transylvania, and as the meeting place of the Diet of Transylvania.

Between 1642-1643, Prince Rákóczi György I built a curia at the foot of the mountain. It came very often for hunting in Gurghiu, a domain which in those days was a princely property belonging to the Treasury of Transylvania. Due to health problems, the prince did not want to climb each time to the fortress on the hill, so that construction raised the hill. It was a building with a floor, with about 20 rooms, built under the guidance of an architect of the prince. Rákóczi was very concerned of this project, so he called foremasters and artisans from several cities of Transylvania. The stones which were used to build the windows' frames were made in Cluj, which at the time had the most famous sculptors in stone. By the end of the 17th century, the area remained the property of George Rakoczy I, then again in possession of the Treasury.

In 1730, the masters of that time have built in the courtyard of the castle a small Roman-Catholic church, which served as a chapel. The church interior was decorated with baroque frescoes. In 1734, the estate was rented for 99 years by Bornemissza, a Catholic Szekely family, that have accomplished the building the castle. Using materials from the ruins of the citadel on the hill, they built the rest of the buildings and the castle chapel, and in 1740 they arranged an arboretum and various species of trees, but indigenous and exotic.

In the 18th century, Bornemissza family was very famous in Transylvania. The most important family member was Bornemissza János, who was Chancellor of Transylvania, second in the political hierarchy after the Governor. Taking full advantage of this position, the chancellor has obtained many favors, bringing more wealth to his family. The rent period ended in 1830, at which point began a long series of lawsuits between Bornemissza family (raised in the meantime to the rank of barons) and state. The trials lasted until 1872, when the barons lost the domain to the State. Construction of the castle was not only investment but noble family. They also had a glass manufacturing in Glăjari, where worked craftsmen from Moravia, porcelain, paper and spirit factories, Catholic schools and parish houses, investments for which they received compensation from the state. After a trial that lasted 27 years, Bornemissza tenant was compensated by the state with the amount of 500 thousand florins, and the area remained under state ownership.

In 1880, the domain was transformed into a hunting castle hunting for Prince Rudolf Josef of Austria, the building being refurbished for the needs of Habsburg prince. Coming often in Gurghiu for hunting, he fell in love with the picturesque area and held himself hunting parties and outdoor baroque music concerts.

The royal hunting castle did not enjoy too many years of glory. They say that the imperial family was cursed by the monks of the Order of Saint Benedict, after they been ousted by the emperor from 'their holy headland' in the Adriatic. For Rudolf, the curse has became a passionate crime. Prince committed suicide because the king forbade the relationship with the beautiful Czech ballerina, Maria Vetsera, vehemently rejected his son's intention to divorce his wife. Legends say that the prince planned to retire with his young mistress to Gurghiu because was very fond of this area, but in a moment of mental aberration, shot Maria in sleep then committed suicide.

The Royal period ended with the death of the prince, in 1893. Then there existed a famous preparatory school for foresters and specialists in hunting, where taught teachers who came from various parts of the Habsburg Empire. By building of a new forestry school, the hunting castle became a museum.

Although the current state of the building is very poor, have preserved many elements both of the Renaissance and the Baroque period, being one of the best preserved buildings of the era, in Transylvania. Castle is one of the most representative baroque castles built here.

Images from here and here.

Boiu-Ţopa Castle

Boiu (former Boiu Mare; Saxon German: Bān, Bun; German: Gross-Freudendorf, Freudendorf, Großbun; Hungarian: Bún, Felsőbún, Nagybún) is a village in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It belongs to Albeşti commune, 7 km from Sighişoara.

The Bethlen Castle in Boiu-Ţopa was build in two stages in 1617 and 1675, the first by Bethlen Farkas, prince Gabriel Bethlen's adviser and captain and the second by his son, Janos, the Chancellor Teleki Mihaly's adviser. The castle combines the characters of a nobleman's residence and a fortress: a three storey central building in late Renaissance style, enclosed by walls and four towers and shooting holes under the roof. It consists of a central rectangular body, with diamond-shaped crenelated towers attached, conducted on three levels, a rectangular enclosure with four polygon-shaped corner towers and an annex building on the west side. The enclosure housed a park with rare trees. In time were added the southern entrance to the castle, the arches, the loggia, the protective wall around the main building and one tower designed by Haller Gabor.

Stylistically, the building belongs to the late Renaissance, with Baroque architectural elements. Characteristic are the covering slopes with high oblique angle, the loggia with above flat arches, the Corinthian pilasters and parapet with balusters in stone of the first floor, the windows and doors frames. Basement and ground floor rooms have semi-cylindrical vaults with penetration, a decoration painted in tempera covered floor walls inside and outside.

Similar to the residences of other noblemen, the castle was expropriated (1945) and used as a grain depot. Although it was declared a historical monument in 1957, it endured repeated alterations and destruction. The situation worsened in 1972 when the castle was left in the path of the overflow waters after the government diverted the Târnava River to protect Sighişoara from flooding. The chance of the castle being inundated is estimated to be once every 20 years. This threat and inconsistent policies in protecting historical monuments in Romania have impeded any restoration work. The project drawn up in 1992 has been forgotten and the monument is close to collapse.

Ozd Castle

Ozd (Hungarian: Magyarózd; German: Thürendorf) is a village in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania, belonging to Bichiş commune. It was documentary attested in 1332.

The first known owners of the domain were 'the sons of Simon', in 1358. In 1496 it belonged to the Alba Iulia chapter, and in 1509 to Barlabássy Lénárd. In the time of Zápolya János, King of Hungary (1526-1540), it was owned by the Ózd family. In 1583, Báthory Zsigmond, Prince of Transylvania, donate the domain to Szalánczi György and Baládfi Magdolná, then Radák István' wife, Tolmács Zsófia get possession of the village. At the end of the 17th century, the domain passed in the Pekri family's possession.

In the time of Barlabássy Lénárd, in 1514, here was already a castle ('domum et curiam nobilitarem in Ozd'). The present castle was built in 1682 by Pekri (or Pekry) Lőrincz, a kuruc general. The kuruc (name derived from the Latin word "cruciatus" (crusader), ultimately from "crux" (cross); Romanian: curuţ) were soldiers of different nationalities fighting in the army of Rákóczi Ferenc II (1676-1735), leader of the Hungarian uprising against the Habsburgs (1703-1711). The castle was besieged and burned by the Austrian troops in March 1709, then restored significantly in 1732 by the new holder, Radá Ádám. The castle entered into the property of a branch of Kemeny family.

The last owners were Baron Kondradshein Janos and his wife, Teleki Ilona. The Baron, of Austrian origin, came from Ploieşti when he received the castle as a gift from Adam Rodach, another Austrian nobleman after his daughter was married to a Reformed man, after divorce from her first husband, a Catholic. In 1948, after the proclamation of the Republic, the baron and his family were forced to leave in a village near Reghin, from where they emigrated to France and then in Canada.

The Ozd castle has square shape, with circular towers on corners. It does not have an uniform style. It was inspired by the Renaissance castles, whose towers began to have a more decorative role, but has also Baroque elements. The castle has 20 rooms, a ballroom, an impressive library, wine cellars, a greenhouse, stucco decorations.

After the leave of the Baron, began looting - furniture, carpets, paintings, books in the library, all have disappeared, one by one. None did nothing to stop the disaster. In the castle have been installed, one by one - an agricultural association, the kindergarten, one school, a house of culture, a community center. In the '70, it was temporary home for some teachers; it was rebuilt in the '90. Then, the heirs sold the castle for 1$ to the Bonus Pastor Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization that restored the roof and intends to restore the entire castle. It will become a rehabilitation center.

Images from here.