Râșnov Citadel, Medieval fortress in Râșnov, Romania
Râșnov Citadel rises on a rocky hilltop high above the town, built with nine towers and two bastions positioned along a vital trade route. The layout protected merchant traffic traveling between two major regions.
The fortress was founded in the early 13th century by military knights and served first as a defense against nomadic raids. It maintained its defensive role until the 1800s when border threats faded.
The fortification reflects Saxon building traditions that shaped this region for centuries, visible in the stone arrangements and how spaces flow from one to another. The layout shows how a closely knit community organized itself within these walls.
Visitors can walk up to explore the outer walls, towers, and courtyards at your own pace throughout the day. There is a small display area inside with objects from the region and the medieval period.
In the 17th century, two prisoners spent years chiseling a well shaft down through solid rock to reach water below, showing how critical this resource was. The work reveals how people found solutions under the most difficult conditions.
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