Râșnov CitadelRâșnov Citadel

Student:Student:

Ștefan Ionuț-AdrianȘtefan Ionuț-Adrian

Cuprins Cuprins

• History

• The legend of the well

• Architecture

• The feudal art museum

• Bibliography

HistoryHistory

• Archaeological research revealed the existence of fortification traces on the citadel hill since prehistoric and Dacian times

• The medieval citadel of today is considered to be built between 1211 and 1225, during the rule of Teutonic Knights in Burzeland, although there is no evidence in this respect.

• Between 1848-1849, because the locality was being crossed by the Hungarian revolutionaries and the Austrian imperial troops, the villagers retreated to the citadel. This was the last mission of the citadel as a place of refugee and defence.

• In 1850, due to the political situation and the diminution of the citadel’s defensive role, the fortification was abandoned, becoming a ruin,

• There was only one guard left who had to announce the outbreak of fires by tolling a bell.

• Because of the two world wars and the set up of the communist regime in Romania, the citadel was restored for the first time, barley, in the years 1955-1956.

The legend of the wellThe legend of the well

• The absence of an internal water source lead to the limitation of long term resistance during sieges. Because of this lack, it was decided to start the digging of a well in the rocky soil, in 1623.

• The legend around the well says that during a siege, the inhabitants of the citadel made two Turkish prisoners dig a well tn the middle of the citadel in order the regain their freedom. The captives dug for 17 years, during which time they wrote verses from Quran on the well walls which can be seen even today. The fate of the prisoners isn’t known, with some saying that they were released,and others that they were killed.

• The well was used until 1850 when a broken wheel in the well windlass caused its abandonment.

• The elders from Râșnov believe that deep in the well lies a treasure at least 300 years old. However, recently alpinists have closely explored the well, without

finding any trace of it.

ArchitectureArchitecture

• The citadel has a simple architectonic style, similar to the ordinary houses of the time and adapted to the fortification requirements.

• The citadel is composed of two courts. The exterior court is located in front of the eastern wall, edged by a fortified wall, and fitted with a square tower.

The feudal art museumThe feudal art museum

• Inside the citadel there is a museum which, briefly presents slices from the local history, the area’s habits and crafts, and also gathers pieces and weapons from the inhabitants past. The exhibition contains the following sections: document photocopies, weapons, tools, stamps and period objects.

BibliographyBibliography

• www.wikipedia.com/Rasnocitadel