Rupea Fortress

Transylvanian Saxons built the medieval castle known as Rupea castle (Rupea Fortress), which was first mentioned in an inscription from 1324. It is located to the west of the Transylvanian town of Rupea in Romania on a basalt cliff that rises 120 metres high. The fortress can be found on DN13, 70 kilometres from Brasov, on the Sighisoara-bound route. The Latin word "rupea," which means "cliff" or "cleft stone," is the origin of the name.

The Palaeolithic and Early Neolithic (5500 BC–3500 BC) are when the earliest evidence of human dwellings can be found, making Rupea Fortress one of Romania's oldest archaeological monuments. Stone tools, pottery, funeral urns, and other artefacts from this time period have been discovered by archaeological digs, providing evidence of nearby populations.

Rupea Fortress has four parts that are fortified with polygonal towers. Three defensive towers and two interior courtyards have been built over time, modifying it. The fortified structure is composed of three enclosures: the upper fortress, the oldest building, which houses a 50-meter-deep well; the most recent modifications, which include the Slaninii Tower, which is unique to the Saxon villages; and the smaller fortress. The security system of the upper fortress, which has a surface area of more than 1500 metres, is built around its walls.

The Pentagonal Tower, a rarity in Europe, the Tower with Bars, and the Chapel can all be observed here. The lower fortress, built in the 18th century, dates the residence of the fortress guard, from 1850, and the military storehouse, built at the beginning of the 19th century, belongs to this period.

The fortress was attacked and captured by the Turks between 1432 and 1437, and after a terrible fire turned it to ashes in 1643, it was abandoned. The fortress was abandoned to the Habsburg army without any violent resistance at the end of the 15th century when the Saxons retreated there for sanctuary. The survivors of the plague epidemic that broke out in the town close to the fort in 1716 took sanctuary at the fortification.

In 1790, the fortress was finally abandoned when a powerful storm collapsed its roof and left it in ruins. In 1954, there was an attempt at restoration, and between 2010 and 2012, the fortress recovered and renovated much of its long-forgotten historic legacy.

Rupea Fortress is now experiencing an increase in visitors, with a fairly full programme of tours every day from Monday through Sunday. Visitors can access informational boards about the fortress, a gift store, and even climb to the fortification's peak to take in the breathtaking surrounds.