Poenari Fortress

About Poenari Fortress

Fortification also known as the "City of Vlad Tepes" or "City of Black Prince", the nucleus of Poenari Fortress was a tower on a square plan with sides having 8.15 to 8.50 m outside and in 4.30 to 4.60 m interior, dated to the first half of the XIV-th century, contemporary with Basarb I (1310? – 1352), the Romanian Country founder.

Later, at the latest in the XVth century, the city was extended by a wall of almost 60 m long and 10-15 meters wide, surrounding the original tower that became a dungeon, flanked by three semi-circular towers,of the southern side.This phase of expansion of the building was recorded by the chronicler Radu Popescu, according to whom, to punish the people of Târgovişte because "they wronged a brother of Prince Vlad", on the Easter day, the ruler sent his servants to force the men, women and children to work by hitting them. 

Built by the first people of Basarabia, the fortress had, over time, a complex use, serving as a place for accommodating gentlemen, the treasury but also prison for nobles guilty of "guile". 

Ceded in 1522 by Radu Afumati to princes of Artdeal, in exchange for the Transylvanian possessions Vinţul de Jos and Vurpărul, at the death of this prince (1529), Poenari was returned the the Romanian country, ceasing its activity in the second half of the XVI-th century, after Neagu, the last chief magistrate had tried, unsuccessfully, to obtain stipends from Brasov for repairs. 

Visiting hours: in the summer season, Monday – Sunday, 09:00 – 18:00