The Ruins of Şinteu Fortress "Piatra Şoimului"

Built on a high, steep rock where only falcons dared to climb, the initiator of the construction is believed to have been the judge of King Béla IV, a member of the noble Geregye family, who rendered services to the Hungarian crown during the great Mongol invasion of 1241-1242.

The Şinteu Fortress - Piatra Şoimului can be considered a symbol of the town of Aleșd, being one of the tourist attractions of the area. Its ruins, which can be seen today near the village of Peștiș, in an exceptionally picturesque natural setting, still bear the burden of a glorious past and easily transport you to the atmosphere of the medieval era. 

Due to its position, the fortress once controlled the main access route to Transylvania along the Crișul Repede valley, as well as from this valley northward towards Satu Mare. It served as both a defensive fortress and the seat of a Turkish sancak, constituting an important strategic point for the great empires of the time. In 1711, it was blown up by Habsburg imperial troops to prevent its further use by the enemies of the Habsburg Empire. 

The fortress offers the opportunity for a trip to an area of ​​natural beauty that is very refreshing to the eye of any visitor!

Brief historical insight

Over time, the Piatra Şoimului Fortress has been at the center of several military events. From 1318, it becomes a royal fortress, and in 1389 it is donated to nobles, being ruled successively by several families. After 1637, the fortress will return to Prince Gheorghe Rákóczi II and his successors.

Constantin Șerban, ruler of Wallachia between 1654-1658 and Moldavia between 1658-1659, also owned this domain. Expelled from Moldavia, Constantin Șerban sought refuge in Transylvania, where he bought several estates. During his time here, Constantin Șerban founded a school teaching in Romanian, founded a stone church in Tinăud, and favored the writing and copying of religious books in Romanian.

Story of the place

Legend has it that Bánffy Dénes, the ruler of the Şoimului Fortress domain, had a beautiful daughter named Orsolya. She loved a young man named Máriaffly Geröt, who was not very wealthy. The girl's father forbade the young couple to meet, but they continued to send love letters to each other with the help of a white dove. 

The moment came when the Şoimului Fortress was besieged by the Turks. Bánffy's men defended it bravely, but the Turks proved stronger. When the fate of the fortress seemed sealed, a saving army appeared, and the Turks were defeated. 

Orsolya then appeared before her father alongside a horseman dressed in armor, to whom they owed victory. Endless gratitude was offered, but he asked only for the girl's hand. The horseman was none other than Máriaffly Geröt. Orsolya had informed him via pigeon about the siege of the fortress. Bánffy agreed, and the two young people were able to get married. 

Since then, the dove has been loved and spoiled like no other bird in the world.

Unique Experiences

Upon reaching the base of the fortress, near the forestry lodge, you can follow the tourist trail, which includes not only the Piatra Şoimului Fortress but also the chapel and the bastion. You will return via the "cart road," a forest road through the woods, very easy to traverse. 

A longer tourist route starts from the base of the fortress and includes the "Zichy" Hunting Castle at Poiana Florilor and the "Dubina" Waterfall in the Black Forest. Inside the "Zichy" Castle, you will find the "Adormirea Maicii Domnului" Wooden Church, about which you will be surprised to learn has been moved three times. 

Another tourist attraction is the fossil site on "Valea Lion," where fossils of dwarf dinosaurs were found.