Almașu, Romania (archaeological site)

The fortress at Almașu was constructed between 1247 and 1278 and was used by local nobles to defend the region for 3 centuries. The position of the fortress enabled guards to oversee a vast landscape comprising a 20 km stretch of the Almașul River valley, a pass through the SW Meseș Mountains that head toward Bucium, and the valley of Petrindu and Petrinzel, which leads toward Cluj. The fortress suffered damage in the 16th and 17th centuries and was rebuilt in the early 17th century by the Czaky family. The final destruction event occurred in 1662.

Today, visitors see a large rectangular tower that stands about 20 meters; its foundation walls are nearly 3 meters thick. An entrance into the tower is preserved on the east side, as are two windows, a chimney, and the footings for floors/ceilings. Some other walls of the fortress are visible or buried beneath the earth.
(composed 2015 for website of Transylvania Alive Association for Cultural Heritage) 

Fortress at Almașu. (photos Eric De Sena, 2016)