The Corvin Castle, also known as the Hunyadi Castle, is the medieval fortress of Hunedoara and an important Gothic monument in Romania. It is the only large-scale medieval construction in the country that served both civil and military purposes. John Hunyadi began transforming an old fortress into the current castle after the year 1440. Thus, the castle is the first stone construction in the entire county.
The structure is the largest medieval monument in Southeastern Europe and is believed to be the castle where Vlad the Impaler, who later became the character Dracula, was imprisoned.
Over time, the castle has been considered one of the most beautiful in the world and ranked among the top 10 destinations in Europe.
Legends and Myths Surrounding Corvin Castle
The castle’s well is nearly 30 meters deep, and according to legend, it was dug by three Turkish prisoners to whom Iancu de Hunedoara promised freedom if they could reach water, a vital necessity within the castle. However, after 15 years of hard labor, when they finally reached water, Iancu had died, and his wife, Elisabeta Szilágyi, did not honor the promise.
Chroniclers say that the inscription in old Arabic characters on one of the chapel’s buttresses means, “You have water, but no soul”. In reality, the stone was carved in the mid-15th century with the words: “The one who wrote this inscription is Hasan, a slave to the infidels, in the fortress near the church.”
The coat of arms of the Corvin family, derived from the Latin word “corvus,” is inscribed with a raven holding a gold ring in its beak. It is said that John Hunyadi was the illegitimate son of Sigismund of Luxembourg, King of Hungary. His mother was Elizabeth, a beautiful woman from Țara Hațegului. To protect her honor, the king married her off to one of his brave knights, Voicu, and gave her a ring as a gift for the unborn child, so that he could be recognized when he grew up if he ever came to the royal court. According to the story, the ring was stolen by a raven during a lunch break, as the bird was attracted to the shining jewelry. Then, John Hunyadi took a bow and killed the raven, thus recovering the ring. When he grew up and arrived at the royal court, he recounted the incident to the king, who decided that the family’s symbol would be a raven with a gold ring in its beak, a bird associated with wisdom and longevity.
The first stone fortification in Hunedoara, in its ellipsoidal shape, was dated to the 14th–15th centuries. Its walls are up to two meters thick and were built on rocks from river stones and limestone. Over time, the Hunedoara fortress became the castle of the greatest king of medieval Hungary, Matthias Corvinus. The castle has withstood time for over 400 years, being an imposing monument whose majesty dominates both the city and the county of Hunedoara. For lovers of the medieval period, the structure is represented by its uniqueness itself.
The architecture of the castle
The castle has four towers: Capistrano Tower, Deserted Tower, Drummers’ Tower, and Mace Tower. Except for the last one, all were provided with two levels, with the lower levels being used as rooms for archers, and the upper levels serving as living quarters or defensive zones. Notably, the Capistrano Tower houses the only (restored) Gothic fireplace in the entire castle.
How to Reach Corvin Castle
You can reach Corvin Castle by taking the DN7 (E15) road to the village of Sântuhalm, whether you’re coming from the east or the west. From Sântuhalm, follow the DJ 687 road to the city of Hunedoara. The monument is located in the central part of Hunedoara County, on the southwestern edge of Hunedoara city, at the eastern foothills of the Poiana Ruscă Mountains.
Above all, it is worth noting that the garden of the Hunyadi Castle shows evidence of habitation dating back to the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Eneolithic periods, as well as the Bronze Age and the Dacian era. In modern times, thanks to its exceptional architecture and large available spaces, Corvin Castle has served as a location for the production of several films, documentaries, and commercials.
Several films have been shot at Hunedoara Castle, including “François Villon,” “Vlad Țepeș,” “Mihai Viteazul,” “Alexandru Lăpușneanu,” “David,” “The Accursed Kings,” “Vlad,” “Jacquou le Croquant,” “BloodRayne,” and more.
Conclusion
Corvin Castle is not just an important historical site; it’s a beautiful destination that fascinates visitors from all over the world. Whether you’re interested in its impressive architecture, rich history, or intriguing legends, Corvin Castle is a place where history truly comes alive.