Alba Iulia

I loved the Cetatea Alba Carolina--the citadel in Alba Iulia. It's the largest citadel in Romania.

The citadel is star-shaped.

Prior to entering the citadel, there was an artisanal gelateria with a line.

Salted Caramel was a little sweet. The dark chocolate was delicious but it didn't match with the pear.

Poarta I-a (First gate) leading to the citadel. The arch is topped with a 2-headed eagle with statues of Venus and Mars alongside it.

Poarta II-a (Second Gate) is a new gate. It was just finished in 2009.

The Horea, Closca and Crisan Obelisk within the fortress was built to commemorate the leaders of the 1784 peasant uprising. They were executed (crushed to death on wheels) or committed suicide to avoid persecution.

The Poarta III-a (Third Gate) is the most imposing of the gates in the citadel. It's crowned with a statue of Emperor Carol VI on a horse, flanked by Turkish prisoners, some trampled under the hoofs of the horse. A small room under the statue served as a cell that held Horea before he was executed.

A 2-headed eagle (symbol of the House of Austria) is represented on the gate.

Cannons are fired weekdays at noon and on weekends at 11 am. Apparently, there is also a Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Alba Iulia was the place where the agreement to unify Transylvania with Romania was signed. Hence, it was a focal point for the 100th centenary celebration of the union in 2018.

Statue of Mihai Viteazul, ruler of Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldavia in the late 16th century. The union dissolved after his execution in 1601. The union was re-established in 1918. 

Behind the statue is the former Princely Palace.

St. Michael's Cathedral is one of 2 cathedrals within the citadel. It is the oldest and longest cathedral in Romania.

The citadel is dotted with statues. I love this one of a monk with children (some real).

The Coronation Cathedral is a Romanian Orthodox Cathedral built in 1921-2, just in time for the coronation of King Ferdinand.

The Poarta IV (Fourth Gate) on the western edge of the citadel was built in a Baroque style. It has rooms that housed military personnel.

Looking out beyond the western edge of the citadel. 

The Principia Museum is dedicated to Roman artifacts.

The museum is housed in a modern building.

Outdoors, you'll find old Roman stone statues.

and even sculptures.

Back in town, we found another Capitoline Wolf statue.

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