Corvin Castle, a Palace and a Prison

Hey, fellow Steemians!

Last year we went on a short trip around Romania with the idea of seeing some of its castles, medieval towns and mountainous landscapes. And honestly, this Eastern European country has an abundance of everything.

One of the attractions we were most keen on visiting was the Corvin Castle, unofficially known as one of the 7 man-made wonders of Romania. It is also called Hunyadi Castle, a name given after its first owner - John Hunyadi, a renowned Hungarian military leader who lived in the 15th century.

Castles have always fascinated us. Walking through royal chambers or climbing the walls, you get a glimpse into the lives of both wealthy aristocrats and regular soldiers. Just like cities that start as villages and expand over the centuries, castles are often laid out simply. Every new lord that takes ownership would add their touch to it. It may be a lush garden to spend leisure summer days in, additional guard towers to better protect it from potential invaders or a luxurious reception hall to make other noblemen jealous. They are added in layers and as the years pass, the different architecture styles blend with each other to tell a story of the castle’s history.

As we arrived, we immediately noticed how the castle was extremely well isolated. Built on top of rocks and surrounded by a moat, the entrance is only accessible by a drawbridge. It’s hard to imagine anyone being able to conquer it without a huge amount of effort and resources. The moat is very deep and has a small stream running below. We loved picturing the moat filled entirely with water. How cool would that be?

The interior of the castle is equally fascinating. Many circular staircases and long corridors led us around formally decorated chambers and halls. We spent some time in each of them, enjoying the medieval vibe of a place that has many legends related to it.

One of the legends tells about the famous Vlad the Impaler being imprisoned right here, in Corvin Castle. If this name doesn’t sound familiar, his other name might - Vlad Dracula. Bram Stoker’s popular novel was inspired by this man. It is said that Dracula was held prisoner in this castle by John Hunyadi. There are no facts proving if and how much time he spent in the dungeons but it is speculated it was anywhere between several months and seven years. But if he really did spend seven long years behind the bars, it might as well have affected him to become so ruthless later in his life. He earned his nickname, the Impaler, for his favorite execution method - impalement.

Another interesting legend we loved hearing about is the story of the castle’s well. John Hunyadi ordered three Turkish prisoners to dig him a well inside the castle and as a reward for doing so, he promised to set them free. In the meantime, the general died and his promise was not fulfilled. The prisoners were executed despite the fact that they reached the water.

Just behind the well and over the battlements, you can get a nice panorama of the town of Hunedoara. The name (unsurprisingly) comes from the Hunyadi family who left a strong impact in this area throughout history.

It’s easy to see why Corvin Castle is one of Romania’s highlights and why it should be on the list for everyone touring this country. Even though it’s a little off the beaten path it is well worth the trip.

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed the tour!