Poenari Castle

Poenari Castle is a fortress on the summit of Mount Cetatea in Căpățânenii Ungureni, Romania, perched on a narrow rock ledge 850 meters above the river valley. The walls enclose an inner courtyard and several chambers cut into the stone, with outer walls running directly along the cliff edge.

Wallachian rulers built a fortification here in the 13th century to watch trade routes and observe approaching armies. Vlad III expanded the site from 1453 to defend against Ottoman attacks and used it as a retreat after battles in the plains.

The name comes from the Romanian word for clearing and recalls the forested slopes around the site. Visitors today enter rooms once occupied by the Wallachian ruling family and look through narrow openings in tower walls down to the valley below.

Sturdy shoes and enough water are necessary for the 1480 concrete steps that lead up to the entrance. The steps are uneven and steep in places, so allow at least 45 minutes for the climb.

The builders integrated natural rock as part of the foundation walls, so some rooms are set directly into the mountain face. The medieval mortar between the stones is still visible in many places despite centuries of wind and rain.