Bologa, Romania (archaeological site)

The town of Bologa is located along a major route between Oradea and Cluj-Napoca. It is situated to the southeast of an important juncture between the Meses and Apuseni Mountains, where two passes permitted access into the heart of Transylvania. 

The medieval fortress at Bologa, less than 1 km southwest of the Roman castrum, was constructed to control the passes through the Meses and Apuseni Mountains. Although it only appears for the first time in documents in 1319, it was probably built in the 13th century as royal fortress. The Hungarian king, Sigismund de Luxembourg, after signing an alliance treaty against the Turks in 1399 donated the fortress to the Prince of Romania, Mircea cel Batran of Wallachia. The fortress survived attacks by the Ottomans, but was destroyed in later military encounters and then gradually decayed. 

The fortress measured ca. 75 x 60 meters and was constructed of stone and concrete. Today, only a section of the fortification wall is preserved with one corner tower, a middle tower and several chambers.

Thanks to Dr. Cora Brumaru for the description and photographs!
(composed 2015 for website of Transylvania Alive Association for Cultural Heritage) 

 

Medieval fortress at Bologa. (photo Cora Brumaru, 2016)