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All Romania Deva Fortress of Deva
AO Edited

Fortress of Deva

Visit an imposing 13th-century Transylvanian citadel lurking not far from the region's more heavily touristed attractions.

Deva, Romania

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James
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The gate, with a modern wooden walkway.   jamespilbrow / Atlas Obscura User
The gate, with a modern wooden walkway.   jamespilbrow / Atlas Obscura User
Detail of the keep and surrounding walls.   jamespilbrow / Atlas Obscura User
Detail of a section of wall.   jamespilbrow / Atlas Obscura User
The view on the top of the citadel  
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About

The Fortress of Deva, or Cetatea Devei in Romanian, is a thick-walled 13th-century castle atop a volcanic hill in the Transylvanian city Deva. As the capital city of the Hunedoara County, Deva is also home to several of Romania's highest-profile heritage tourism sites; Corvin Castle in the Hunedoara city and the Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains.

Cetatea Deva, while not as well-preserved as Corvin Castle or holding the World Heritage provenance of the Dacian Fortresses, represents another worthwhile medieval site visit for those traveling Transylvania by road or rail. It also offers a more low-key heritage tourism experience than some of its more famous neighbors. The citadel is part of a public park, meaning visitors can wander in and explore at their own pace. There's a small funicular on one side that takes you the whole way up the hill to the citadel.

Alternatively, follow a snaking path up that takes you in through the fortress' main gates. The walls of the citadel all stand as they were built, but most of the wooden structures are gone. A restoration project has been finalized. 

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Castles Ruins

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Beware of vipers (poisonous snakes) from April to September.

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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

jamespilbrow

Edited By

jliljerstam, TBN, Rodlondon69, claudanculescu

  • jliljerstam
  • TBN
  • Rodlondon69
  • claudanculescu

Published

May 2, 2023

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Fortress of Deva
Deva
Romania
45.88834, 22.896844

Nearby Places

Corvin Castle

Hunedoara, Romania

miles away

Round Church of Geoagiu

Geoagiu, Romania

miles away

Densuș Church

Densuș, Romania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Romania

Romania

Europe

Places 73
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Corvin Castle

Hunedoara, Romania

miles away

Round Church of Geoagiu

Geoagiu, Romania

miles away

Densuș Church

Densuș, Romania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Romania

Romania

Europe

Places 73
Stories 5

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