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- Targoviste – A Capital’s CharmDrobeta Turnu Severin – A Bridge Across The AgesSearching For Tranquility Around BucharestCalimanesti, Olanesti, Govora – Oltenia’s Health SpringsAlba Iulia and Codex AureusIasi – A City Imbued With History and CultureThe Deva Fortress – Active Witness to Transylvania’s HistoryRupea Stronghold, The Core of Brasov CountyScarisoara Cave, Glacier Chill in Summer TimeMuierilor Cave, Symbol of Fertility and HolinessOrsova – Heavy Industry Meets the Roman EmpireThe Heaven of Cherry Orchards, in CetateleCurtisoara Museum – a Cradle of SpiritualityBaile Felix – a Balneary Resort for All AgesIzei Valley – Maramures Finest Traditions and LocationsHarman – A Small Part of Brasov’s CultureMuseums and places to visit in OradeaVidraru Dam and Lake, a Wonder of Nature, Confined by ManAncient Cities in the Constanta AreaSfantul Ioan Domnesc Monument-Church – The Shadow of Stefan cel MarePutna Monastery – The Spiritual Center of MoldaviaOcnele Mari: Salt Mines, Spa and Rich HistoryBaile Govora – One of The Oldest Romanian SpasCraiova – The Heart of OlteniaRules for Visiting the Protected Nature AreasArad – One Millenia on the Banks of MuresTargu Jiu and the Endless ColumnBucura Lake – The Largest Glacier Lake in RomaniaTraveling to Sfantu GheorgheLipscani – “The Old Leipzig” of BucharestCule – Strange Strongholds of a Riotous PastVatra DorneiCluj NapocaDobrudja and the Danube DeltaBucharest – an european capitalBrasov – Part of the “Heart” of RomaniaTimisoara, Little ViennaRosia MontanaPeriam “Rock la Mures” FestSinaiaVama VecheSighisoara, medieval heavenHunedoaraSighisoaraSibiu – modernity with a German touchA visit in Piatra-NeamtVama Veche versus MamaiaThe mountain tourism in RomaniaA trip to Muntii ApuseniAn incursion in legends – BranTrips and winter sports on Valea PrahoveiTransilvania – The medieval land of StrongholdsBucovina and Northern MoldaviaMaramures – A Land From TalesTan and Fun at the Black SeaA wild land – The Danube Delta
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The Deva Fortress – Active Witness to Transylvania’s History
The Hunedoara county is situated on the middle course of the river Mures, having as neighbours the Apuseni Mountains in the North, Orastie and Sureanu in the South-East, Retezat Godeanu and Parang in the South and Poiana Rusca in the South West and hosts many vestiges belonging to the Romanian history.
Its capital city is Deva and, from whatever direction you may reach it, you can’t help noticing the elevated fortress that dominates the entire area. This stronghold is the main touristic attraction, it is surrounded by legends and it has a long story that stretches from medieval ages to the modern times. It is said that it was built by the daughters of a giant, a couple of fairies with golden hair, who began to quarrel and, in their fury, destroyed it. Another legend claims that the fortress was built by the incredible efforts of some dwarves.
There are also recorded historical facts about the beginnings of the Deva Fortress. It was first mentioned in a document in 1269 (in which the King of Hungary’s son donated it to a baron called Chyl from the Calnic village) and this has lead to the conclusion that it was built as reaction to the devastating Mongol invasion from 1241. Not accidentally, the fortress guarded the pass between the Apuseni Mountains and the Poiana Rusca Mountains. Situated at a height of 371 m, on a steep volcanic rock, it was a stronghold very likely to resist even against the dreaded descendants of Genghis Khan.
The Deva fortress was important for everyone fighting for power in Transylvania during the Middle Ages. It was a shelter for noblemen or for ordinary people during dangerous times; it was the sight of bloody battles and fierce revolts; it served as prison for kings, for influential people or for humble serfs; it held treasures when needed and it was besieged several times, mostly by Ottoman armies.
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