Oratea Fortress, Medieval fortress in Podu Dâmboviței, Romania.
Oratea Fortress is a medieval stone fortification perched on a hillside north of Podu Dâmboviței village, near the main DN73 highway that connects Câmpulung to Brașov. The site preserves ruins of walls and defensive structures built to guard the valley below.
The Teutonic Knights built this fortress in 1212 after King Andrew III of Hungary invited them to protect the region from Cuman raids. It later gained connection to Vlad the Impaler, who was detained there in 1462 during conflicts with Ottoman forces.
The fortress holds connections to Vlad the Impaler's history, as it became the location of his arrest during the conflicts with Mehmed II in 1462.
The site is accessible from the DN73 highway between Câmpulung and Brașov, located about 300 meters east of the road. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the climb to the ruins crosses grassland and can be steep in places.
The fortress retains its original stone architecture from the 13th century, displaying medieval military engineering techniques used by the Teutonic Knights in Romania.
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