Colțești Nobiliary Citadel

Immerse yourself in the magic of history by visiting the Colțești Nobiliary Citadel, a valuable medieval monument located in the commune of Rimetea, Alba County. A silent witness to over 700 years of existence, the citadel was built by the noble Toroczkay family for defense and refuge purposes, following the Tartar invasion in the 13th century.

You will be immediately captivated by its location: atop a rocky hill, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Explore the ruins of the medieval citadel and journey back in time, imagining key moments from its tumultuous history.

Notice how the two parts of the citadel unfold along the rock wall like precious lacework. The Lower Citadel impresses with its old massive keep, with thick walls, while the ruins of the Upper Citadel carry the melancholy of spacious rooms, once hosting the former palace with large windows.

Enjoy a historical experience through a fascinating journey in the heart of Transylvania!

Brief historical overview

In 1467, Matthias Corvinus confiscated the citadel from Colțești, as the nobles of the Toroczkay family were involved in rebellion against the king.

Through a royal donation act in 1516, Ferenc Toroczkay and his descendants entered into the ownership of the citadel and its domain.

The siege of the citadel took place on March 14, 1704, under the command of Baron Johann Karl Tige. Following the siege, the citadel remained in ruins.

The moment of construction, as well as the moment of destruction of the fortification, are recorded by the commemorative inscription from 1892, located near the entrance on the southern side of the Keep.

Architectural peculiarities

In the structure of the Colțești Nobiliary Citadel, we distinguish two distinct parts: the Lower Citadel and the Upper Citadel.

The Lower Citadel consists of a massive quadrilateral tower - the Keep, and an inner courtyard. The tower comprised a vaulted ground floor and 3 floors, separated by wooden floors, supported by sturdy beams.

The Upper Citadel is located in the rocky area at the top of the hill. Its oldest element is the tower collapsed into the abyss in 1868. South of this tower are the rooms of the Palace, dating from the 15th century.

The Bastion, located at the southern limit of the citadel, was equipped with firing windows for firearms.

Unique experiences

If you are passionate about mountain hiking, you can choose a route that includes both Colții Trascăului (1,113 m) and Piatra Secuiului (1,129 m). You will enjoy truly spectacular landscapes.

On your way back, stop by Rimetea, the village famous for its valuable traditional architecture. You will be pleasantly surprised by the stone houses, with whitewashed facades and windows with green shutters.

The renowned writer Jókai Mór felt inspired by the beautiful village of Rimetea, which he visited in 1876. His novel "One is the Lord" describes the life of this locality, the impressive landscape, the Unitarian religion, but also the unique attire from Rimetea.