2-Day Trip: Deva Fortress and Corvin Castle

Itinerary: Bucharest – Pitești – Geoagiu – Orăștie – Banpotoc (I Giardini di Zoe) – Deva – Hunedoara – Bucharest

The route gives us the opportunity to discover interesting stories about the existence of the Romanian people, to appreciate the talent and skill that the inhabitants of these wonderful lands have shown and continue to show, and to admire the beauty of the places we travel through.

Day 1

Bucharest – Geoagiu – Orăștie – I Giardini di Zoe – Deva

We set off from Bucharest on a route that takes us through wonderful landscapes, among towering mountains and along spectacular river valleys.

Geoagiu

We visit the Rotunda Church or Romanic Chapel, which is said to be the oldest stone church in Romania, built in the 11th–12th centuries. It has a unique architecture due to its circular plan and the materials from which it is constructed.

Orăștie

Visit to the Transylvanian Village Museum, where we will admire some of the most beautiful houses in Transylvania, over a century old. After this short journey through rural life of times past, we can enjoy traditional dishes cooked with great care, "just like at home."

Banpotoc – I Giardini di Zoe

From rural life, we make a leap towards aristocracy; we will imagine ourselves strolling through the courtyard of a palace where we are the masters. We will be able to capture fairytale landscapes to share with friends back home.

Deva

In the evening, we arrive at the accommodation. Free time for dinner and an evening stroll.

Day 2

Deva – Hunedoara – Bucharest

After breakfast, we will visit the Deva Fortress, an important medieval fortification of Transylvania built in the 13th century, "the largest and most successful fortification in Europe before the discovery of firearms," as the Transylvanian architect Nicolae Bethlen said. Located on a volcanic cone at an altitude of 378 m, the fortress attracts thousands of tourists whose eyes are delighted by the panorama of the Mureș Valley. We continue with a pleasant, relaxing walk through the Citadel Park and a new foray into history at the Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilization, located in the Bethlen Castle, the oldest historical monument building in Deva.

Hunedoara

We cannot pass through Hunedoara without visiting the Corvin Castle, "the living legend of Transylvania," ranked among the most beautiful castles in the world. The castle is one of the most impressive military architecture monuments in Eastern Europe. Associated with this castle are the names of Vlad Țepeș, who is said to have been imprisoned here, and Iancu de Hunedoara, who transformed the former royal fortress into a castle.

For those who enjoy being children sometimes, we propose a visit to the magical world of the Train Museum, a unique museum that contains part of the impressive miniature collection of former Hunedoara rally driver Valentin Banciu, winner of several automotive trophies. The collection is the result of a passion for modeling and trains, a passion born at a young age and continued for over 40 years.

If yesterday we admired the Romanian village in full size, today we will see it in miniature at the Marc Dollhouse Museum. The museum has rooms dedicated to dollhouses and international architecture. Each piece, crafted with great care and meticulousness, reflects a love for tradition and respect for the past, and the stories associated with each house take us on a true imaginary journey.

We head home, sharing our impressions and photos with new friends. Arrival in Bucharest in the evening.