Poenari Castle

This fortress was built on a rocky peak surrounded by steep slopes and Argeş water in three parts. The only way to reach the fortress is to pass a narrow saddle linking the rock to the neighboring mountain. It can be said that this fortress was impenetrable.

Poenari Castle was epicly constructed around the beginning of the 13th century and around the 14th century, Poenari was the main citadel of the Basarab rulers. In the next few decades, the name and the residents changed a few times but eventually the castle was abandoned and left in ruins.

However, in the 15th century, realizing the potential for a castle perched high on a steep precipice of rock, Vlad III the Impaler repaired and consolidated the structure, making it one of his main fortresses. Although the castle was used for many years after Vlad's death in 1476, it eventually was abandoned again in the first half of the 16th century and was in ruins by the 17th century. The size and location of the castle made it difficult to conquer. In 1888, a landslide caused by an earthquake brought down parts of the castle which crashed into the river far below. It was slightly repaired and the walls and its towers still stand today.

During the Communist era in Romania, foreign visitors sometimes spent the night inside the ruined structure. Since 2009, the site has been administered by the Argeș County Museum.

Opening hours

Price:

Adult: 10 RON