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All Romania Hunedoara Corvin Castle
AO Edited

Corvin Castle

This fairy-tale castle would make Dracula (who is said to have been imprisoned there) jealous.

Hunedoara, Romania

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Sam
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The castle.   Paszczur01/cc by-sa 3.0
The castle.   Paszczur01/cc by-sa 3.0
Corvin Castle   Cropbot/public domain
The emblem of House Corvin   jamadopatapalo / Atlas Obscura User
The Castle’s courtyard.   jamadopatapalo / Atlas Obscura User
Corvin Castle’s “bear pit”   Tao Tao Holmes / Atlas Obscura
Corvin Castle drawbridge   Tao Tao Holmes / Atlas Obscura
Corvin Castle   Tao Tao Holmes / Atlas Obscura
Corvin Castle interior chamber   Tao Tao Holmes / Atlas Obscura
Corvin Castle   Tao Tao Holmes / Atlas Obscura
Corvin Castle tunnel   Tao Tao Holmes / Atlas Obscura
Corvin Castle tower   Tao Tao Holmes / Atlas Obscura
Interior   Kellee Kovalsky / Atlas Obscura User
  petrolwife / Atlas Obscura User
  petrolwife / Atlas Obscura User
Corvin Castle   Cezarina / Atlas Obscura User
The castle   Cezarina / Atlas Obscura User
  CorinaIoana / Atlas Obscura User
  CorinaIoana / Atlas Obscura User
June 2023   DMStephenson / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In the heart of Transylvania, one of Europe's largest castles looks like it sits atop a rocky bluff with nothing but a thin bridge allowing access. But this is Corvin Castle, which looks like something straight out of a fairytale, largely because restorers thought that it should. 

Built in the mid-15th century, the castle was the work of military leader John Hunyadi, who constructed the tall structure over the remains of a keep built by Charles I.

Corvin Castle is split into three large areas: The Knight's Hall, the Diet Hall, and the circular stairways. Each of these three parts is surrounded by both circular and rectangular towers that were used for both defense and as a prison. 

The elaborate architecture was designed in a rich gothic style that accentuates the already impressive structure. The castle was kept in regal condition during Hunyadi's lifetime, but after he died, the castle fell into swift decline.

It was not until the 17th century that there was more interest in restoring this medieval castle. As the restoration work began, the workers redesigned the castle to reflect what they considered a gothic castle should look like, which explains much of its currently fanciful look.

A number of legends are associated with the castle. Though this is likely untrue, tourists are told that Vlad the Impaler spent some seven years in the dungeons of Corvin Castle, a stay which resulted in his eventual madness. 

Related Tags

Castles Vampires Dracula Legends

Know Before You Go

The Castle is open daily, from 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM on Mondays, and from 9:00 AM and 8:30 PM from Tuesday to Sunday. A normal ticket costs around €5, but the prices for students and elderly people are lower. Corvin Castle is an attraction included in the Romania: Castles, Ruins, and Medieval Villages trip.

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Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights

Discover Romania's Medieval Castles & Culture.

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Community Contributors

Added By

SamM

Edited By

Blindcolour, CretuBogdan94, ovidiuneacsu, EricGrundhauser...

  • Blindcolour
  • CretuBogdan94
  • ovidiuneacsu
  • EricGrundhauser
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • jamadopatapalo
  • Kellee Kovalsky
  • petrolwife
  • Cezarina
  • CorinaIoana
  • DMStephenson

Published

November 19, 2015

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Sources
  • http://touristinromania.net/2014/02/12/corvin-castle-spectacular-medieval-castle-transylvania-amazing-visit-bear-pit-dungeon-knights-hall-legend-well/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvin_Castle
  • https://rolandia.eu/hunyadi-castle/
Corvin Castle
Strada Castelului 1-3
Hunedoara
Romania
45.748936, 22.891545
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Fortress of Deva

Deva, Romania

miles away

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miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Romania

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