Build between 1437-1543, this castle has both baroc and renascentist architecture. Changed and destroied through the years, it has been used as a campaign hospital for the German troupes during the World War II and as a CAP during the comunist era. Today, the restauration of this piece of Transilvania’s history has begun under the protection of Price Charles of Wales.
From Cluj – Napoca you can arrive there taking a 30 minutes train ride up to Bontida village and then a 6-7 km walk through the village. By paying 2 RON you get both the opportunity to visit the ruins and a nice postcard, and I tell you, it is worth visiting.
The place is far engouh from the village, from the main road and it is not often visited by tourists. The piece and quiet have a relaxing effect on the visitors. When I arrived there, the only people inside were some art students, living in a restaurated area of the castle, which came for painting or taking photos. Entering the gardens, on the left hand side, the restaurated buildings, white and beautiful, are for the moment closed for visiting. One of them though has inside a coffee place (called Art Cafe), where you cam sit and enjoy the view. I look throug the windows and, inside these buildings, some works of art (most of them partially destoried by a fired put by the German troops).
On the right hand side a the ruins. Buildings that are not restaured yet. You can go inside, explore the basement, walk through the galleries and look at the sky (since the roof is missing). You can imagine that there they were, ages ago, the ball room, the library (full off old books and manuscripts), and dormitories for the counts and barons living there. Unfortunatly, the ruins are now, place of disposal for PETs, beer cans and plastic bags.
Every year, a medieval festival takes place here. Maidens and Prices, horses, musicants fill up the place, bringing it back 5 centuries ago.
