Casa Nicolae Luxury Suites

From Corvin Castle, it was 1 1/2 hours east to Sibiu.

Our home for the next 2 nights was the Casa Nicolae Luxury Suites, close to the center of town. Breakfast was not included. Parking was on the street but it wasn't too difficult to find a spot.

It was a mini apartment with a small kitchen, which had a washer/dryer combo.

2019 09 23

Corvin Castle

After Deva, we drove south for 30 minutes through Hunedoara to reach Corvin Castle. Park in the lot for 10 lei ($2.34). Purchase your admission ticket for 30 lei ($7) but skip the photo ticket. No one was checking to see if you had the photo ticket. The castle has some English explanation. Alternatively, you can purchase the code to download an app for a self-guided walk.

Walk over the drawbridge to reach the castle, one of the largest in Europe.

Matia Corvin and Gabriel Bethlen added to the 14th century fortification built by Ioan of Hunedoara, creating the castle as it appears today. Turkish prisoners did most of the building.

In the castle, there is a well that is cursed by 3 prisoners who were promised freedom upon completion of the well. Instead, they were executed.

There is a Torture Exposition within the castle.

There is a warning that the exposition may cause "emotional impact" and is not recommended for children under 12 years old.

The interior courtyard

is popular for wedding pictures.

The kitchen was fairly small for such a large castle.

The chapel within the castle.

Beautiful stained glass window.

Some of the rooms had exhibits--this one was dress from the eras.

The Council Hall was a ceremonial place built in the 15th century. It's adorned with flags.

The Corvin family's coat of arms is a raven with a golden ring in its beak. It's also displayed in the Council Hall.

Glimpses of the towers in the castle.

Stone hallways leading to towers.

Trophy room in the castle.

Interesting gargoyles.

The Mace Tower is painted with a checkerboard design that is fading. It was built in 1440.

A medieval knight was placed on top of the tower during a 19th century renovation.

After touring the castle, we were starving. As we drove through Hundedoara, we found this patisserie.

Crispy Covrig for 1.50 lei ($0.35), Cabbage Burec for 6 lei ($1.40) and a mini pizza for 4 lei ($0.93). The buret was very flavorful but also very oily.

2019 09 23

Deva Citadel

The Deva Citadel is located 1 hour west of Alba Iulia.

The citadel sits on a hilltop 300 m above the town. There's a Hollywood-style sign announcing its presence but I couldn't find it.

Purchase parking tickets in the Information Booth, scratch off the appropriate spots and place on your dashboard. 1 lei/hour ($0.23).

You can either ride the Telecabina for 20 lei ($4.67) roundtrip or hike to the top of the hill for free. There is no admission fee to the citadel itself.

The funicular doesn't fit that many people so we had to wait for several rounds since a bus unloaded right before we got there.

You get a nice view of the surrounding area from the top of the citadel.

The citadel is crumbling. It was originally built in the 13th century and was used as a refuge for terrified novels who feared execution during the peasant uprisings in 1784. In 1849, Hungarian nationalists attacked Austrian generals held up in the fortress, ending in a massive explosion of the gunpowder stores, which left the castle in ruins.

Entrance to the citadel.

You're free to explore the stone walls.

Be careful of snakes.

View of the parking lot from the funicular on the way down.

We happened to see some busts in a corner of the parking lot. On closer inspection, they were of Marta & Bela Karolyi and Nadia Comaneci, among others.

Behind the fence and the trees, we spied the olympic rings. When we had internet that night, we confirmed that this was where Nadia Comaneci trained. No signs onsite and no mention in the Lonely Planet. What a pleasant surprise that we saw the busts!

2019 09 23

La Conac

In Alba Iulia, we had dinner at La Conac, located at Strada Decebal 10.

Sour Soup with Tarragon & Smoked Meat--18 lei ($4.20). So good and full of flavor.

Transylvanian Gulyas--22 ($5.14). Beef and homemade dumpling soup. Another good soup. 

Mushroom Stew with Polenta--22 lei ($5.14). I was disappointed. It didn't have enough flavor.

Calf Stew with Polenta--32 lei ($7.48). This was very good and the meat was tender.

We also got a liter of house Merlot for 35 lei ($8.18).

2019 09 22

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.

2019 09 22