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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
In 1307, Ladislau, ruler of Transylvania (1291 – 1315) captured Otto I, the king of Hungary, imprisoned him in the Deva fortress, confiscated his crown and kept it here until it was given to the new king, Charles Robert, from the Anjou dynasty. Another historical figure that was imprisoned here was Francis David (David Ferencz), the founder of the Unitarian church in Hungary and Transylvania, who proclaimed the religious freedom during the works of the Diet (something like a medieval parliament, with lesser attributions) from Turda, in 1568. He was put to trialed and forced to spend the rest of his days in Deva. A memorial plate now stands in the cell where he died.
In 1784, a great revolt started in Transylvania, under the leadership of three Romanian peasants called Horea, Closca and Crisan. Gathering a large number of unhappy peasants and serfs, their intention was to erase nobility as a social class and to make all people equal in rights and obligations. Although they lacked organizations and weapons, they were successful in the beginning and many noblemen and high officials were forced to take refuge in the fortress from Deva. The rebels besieged them, but they didn’t succeed getting into the stronghold and, eventually, the uprising was defeated and its leaders savagely executed.
In time, the fortress’ military role diminished, due to the spread of firearms, cannons, in particular. Yet, it was considered important enough, because it was repaired several times. In 1817, the Austrian emperor Francis I (one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s most important enemies) visited it and decided to allocate funds for its maintenance.
The last important event that involved the Deva fortress was the revolution from 1848. That year, several revolutions took place in Europe, in France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Transylvania, Moldavia and Wallachia. The revolutionaries from Transylvania sought refuge in the fortress, but were defeated and forced to surrender to the Austrian troops (that time Hungary and Transylvania were part of the Austrian Empire). On the 13th of August 1849, the ammunition warehouse exploded and the Deva Fortress was transformed into the ruins that one can see today.
If you wish to reach the fortress and admire the landscape of Deva and its surroundings, there are two ways: the easy way and the hard way. The easy way consists of the elevator that can get you on top very quickly. The hard way involves taking the long road that circles around the hill to its top, where the fortress stands. It is not dangerous, but it takes a while; you will pass through a couple of short tunnels and the efforts will be rewarded when the first walls appear. They are old, some covered in ivy and other plants, they have a frightening, yet impressive look and they become bigger and bigger, as the heart of the stronghold approaches. The producers of Indiana Jones or The Lord of The Rings wouldn’t have made a mistake if they had chosen to film a couple of scenes here.
Before venturing to the Deva fortress, one can visit Magna Curia castle, situated at the basis of the rock. It was built in 1621 by the initiative of Gabriel Bethlen, an illustrious ruler of Transylvania, in a Baroque style, rich in decorations. It now hosts the Museum of the Dacian and Roman civilizations.
Author: Iulian Fira
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