Béldy Castle in Jibou

To reach Béldy Castle in Jibou, the road will take you through a dense forest, in the heart of Sălaj County. The journey through nature will then be followed by one into the past, into the world of Hungarian nobility.

The story of the castle's construction is linked to the marriage of Kálmán Béldy to Pálma Wesselényi in 1903, on land donated by the bride's father, Béla Wesselényi. The place where it was built lies on the vast estate of the Wesselényi family around Jibou, referred to on period maps as "Lunca". Its appearance is reminiscent of late Renaissance villas and Palladian architectural style, inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture. There is also period furniture of exceptional value here - the library - a piece rarely found in such well-preserved form in the castles of Transylvania.

Through all their endeavors, the Wesselényi and Béldy families have contributed to the economic and social development of these places. They were owners of the stud farm in Jibou and enthusiastic hunters, prominent political figures, and supporters of publishing houses and literary magazines. Time has left deep marks on the castle, as it was nationalized in 1948 and then functioned as a nursing home and hospital for neuropsychiatric patients. It was returned to the descendants of the family and since 2009 has been under the administration of the Sălaj County Council.

Come and explore this little-known fragment of heritage and let yourself be carried away by the stories of a bygone world, yet full of charm!

The facade of Béldy Castle in Jibou recalls the splendor of the Renaissance. The front garden, once an explosion of flowers arranged in a rectangular plan, elegantly welcomed guests to the castle. There are actually three building blocks, the most imposing being the two-story castle, with skillfully crafted projections extending forward and discreetly retreating towards the back. A striking element is the spacious loggia, supporting a charming terrace between the two projections.

The castle has a remarkable history and significant cultural importance due to the involvement of the families who owned it in the cultural and political life of the time. Built in 1903 for the marriage of young Kálmán Béldy and Pálma Wesselényi, the castle was financed by the Béldy family. The Wesselényi family was always known in the area for horse breeding, owning one of the largest studs in Transylvania in the 19th century. Through the marriage of the two, the Wesselényi and Béldy families also united their studs.

In the castle courtyard, there were tennis courts and areas for horse training. Béla Wesselényi, the son of Miklós Wesselényi, was an important horse breeder and had a famous stud farm in Jibou. After World War I, his son-in-law, Kálmán Béldy, was involved in politics and supported various editorial and cultural projects. The assets of the Hungarian barons were confiscated by the communists around the 1950s, prompting many of them to leave the country.

Unique Experiences

If you're in the area, don't miss a stroll through the surroundings! Right in the town of Jibou, you can visit a unique botanical garden that will amaze you. The baths in Jibou have mineral waters and muds that are used to treat various diseases and conditions. These are organized into a small spa complex, with some facilities to help you spend a fun day outdoors: a special place for grilling, table tennis, or foot tennis. You can take short hikes to visit other natural attractions in the area such as the Rona Limestone, the Dragons' Garden in Gâlgău Almașului, or the Cave at Cuciulat, where you'll have the opportunity to discover unique rock paintings.