Whereto? Rosenauer medieval fortress
Rosenauer is Rasnov in Romanian (pronounced somehow... weird in our language) and it is one of the most beautiful and best preserved medieval fortresses in the country.It lies not too far from Bucharest, if you have one full day at your disposal you can start early in the morning by car and be there in no more then 2 hours and a half. You'll be heading for Brasov - Poiana Brasov on DN 1. A good map would prove extremely useful. :)
The walls were build up on the mountain, somewhere around the 14th century, to protect the villagers from Turkish invaders. The problem encountered during invasions was lack of water, that's why the people decided to dig in the mountain and make a fountain. Those who worked for the deepest well in Transylvania - 150m - are supposed to be Turkish prisoners who toiled for no less then 17 years in exchange for their freedom... Some freedom :)
The village thrived during the Middle Ages because it lay at the commercial crossroad between Transylvania and the southern part of the country - just like today. In-between the walls there were houses, a small chapel, and a school. It has a very simple and functional architecture; the place was designed to protect not to impress. :)
The fortress protected many fugitives and warriors throughout ages but was left to ruin after 1850. Fortunatley there was some italian investor - Alberto Drera - that saw the place in 1990, when it was already half-destroyed and decided to restore it. Nowadays the fortress is partly reconstructed and can be visited for 10 RON admission fee.
It is one of the few historical monuments and relevant attraction point that was skipped by gypsy merchants selling coloured trifles and small things everywhere around and inside it. And it is one of those places where everyone loves to come back and visit again.
See more pictures in the gallery.
