Cetatea Rupea
Rupea Citadel is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Romania.
The first document dates from 1324 when the Saxons, revolted against King Charles I of Hungary, took refuge inside the citadel. The current citadel was built on the ruins of a former Dacian defense fort conquered by the Romans. From the 10th century the citadel had a key strategic role as the main linking point between Transylvania, Moldavia and Wallachia.
The whole city is made up of 3 enclosures built in different phases of construction: The top fortress built during the 13-14th centuries, the middle fortress built during 15th century and expanded in 16th century, the lower fortress built in the 17th century.
Originally royal camp returned to the community in 1420, the fortress provided with towers, watch towers and roads served both as a fortress and as a place of refuge for the people of the surrounding villages during the repeated sieges.
In 1688 the fortress was occupied and repaired by the Austrians who have installed a garnison here.
After losing its defensive role, the fortress remains in the care of the community.
👉 A legend tells that the Dacian king Decebal would commit suicide within the citadel after being defeated by the Roman legions led by emperor Trajan, at the end of the Second Dacian War (105–106).
Cetatea Rupea
Rupea Citadel is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Romania.
The first document dates from 1324 when the Saxons, revolted against King Charles I of Hungary, took refuge inside the citadel. The current citadel was built on the ruins of a former Dacian defense fort conquered by the Romans. From the 10th century the citadel had a key strategic role as the main linking point between Transylvania, Moldavia and Wallachia.
The whole city is made up of 3 enclosures built in different phases of construction: The top fortress built during the 13-14th centuries, the middle fortress built during 15th century and expanded in 16th century, the lower fortress built in the 17th century.
Originally royal camp returned to the community in 1420, the fortress provided with towers, watch towers and roads served both as a fortress and as a place of refuge for the people of the surrounding villages during the repeated sieges.
In 1688 the fortress was occupied and repaired by the Austrians who have installed a garnison here.
After losing its defensive role, the fortress remains in the care of the community.
👉 A legend tells that the Dacian king Decebal would commit suicide within the citadel after being defeated by the Roman legions led by emperor Trajan, at the end of the Second Dacian War (105–106).