Ruinele cetății Székely Támadt, Medieval fortress ruins in Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania.
Ruinele cetații Székely Támadt is a medieval fortress in Odorheiu Secuiesc featuring four corner bastions designed according to Italian military architecture principles. The four corners, named Foris, Hajdu, Telegdy, and Banffy, define the structure, and sections of the original defensive walls remain visible around the perimeter.
Prince Bathori Istvan founded the fortress between 1490 and 1492, reusing materials from a 15th-century monastery that previously occupied the site. The construction took place during a period of shifting power in Transylvania and left a lasting mark on regional politics.
The fortress reflects the complex relationship between Transylvanian rulers and the local Szekler community. The names of the four bastions that visitors encounter today carry memories of these power dynamics.
Marked trails guide visitors through the ruins while offering views over Odorheiu Secuiesc and the surrounding valley. Stopping at a local tourist office before your visit provides helpful context and advice for exploring the site safely and fully.
An elaborate moat system connected to the Tarnava Mare river once provided critical defense for the fortress and made it one of the most protected strongholds in the region. Traces of this water engineering remain visible today and reveal the advanced construction knowledge of the period.
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