Cetatea Rupea, an old fortress in Romania.
Channel: Patrick Beckers
Date: 2023-02-26

When the Saxons settled in Transylvania in the 12th and 13th centuries, they also built forts and castles, of which this is one. The Rupea fortress, built on a 120-metre-high basalt rock, dates back to the 13th century and a first mention occurred in 1324. The name comes from the Latin (rupes means cliff). The fortress guarded the road towards Moldavia and Wallachia and was captured by the Turks for that reason in 1432 and 1437. In 1643, the fort was hit by a major fire, upon which it was abandoned. The plague and a Turkish invasion caused it to be used as a refuge in 1716 and 1788 respectively, but from 1788, after a heavy storm, it was abandoned for good. It subsequently lay in ruins until the beginning of this century and was partially restored between 2010 and 2013.

More info about and pictures of this castle at 
www.castles-across-europe.com