Deva Fortress, the unconquered fortress of Transylvania
The Deva Fortress was built on a volcanic cone, in the northern part of Deva, on the traces of fortifications dating back to Antiquity. The story and appearance of the fortress built "at the gates of Transylvania", has fascinated historians for centuries.
The Deva Fortress is one of the most important medieval fortifications in Transylvania and one of the top attractions in Hunedoara County. Thanks to its position on the hill that came to bear its name (Fortress Hill), the fortress was a strategic point of defense in the Mureu0219 Valley, on the current border between Transylvania and Banat, on the main artery connecting Romania with central and western Europe.
With a spiral architecture, characteristic of mountain fortresses, the Deva Fortress was built in the 13th century and is documented in 1269. However, traces of habitation on the chimney of what was once a volcano are much older. They date back to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, followed by Dacian fortifications, reinforced by the Romans, after the conquest of Dacia, to defend the resources, given that the Salt Road passed right at the foot of the Fortress Hill. Its location at a height made it considered almost invincible by the men of arms of the time. In addition, it offers a strategic panorama over much of the Mures Valley, the Strei Valley, and far, to the south, in the Forest Land.
The property of Iancu de Hunedoara
From the invasion of the migratory tribes until the second half of the 13th century, nothing is known about the Deva Fortress, until 1269, when it is mentioned in a deed of the young king Stefan, son of Bela IV. He makes a donation to a Wallachian count for the bravery shown in the battle fought under the walls of the Deva Fortress. In 1444, Iancu de Hunedoara will receive possession of the Deva Fortress with all its riches: 56 villages and gold mines.
Master Kelemen and the explosion in the Deva Fortress
There are two legends related to the fortress. The first of these, which circulates in Hungary and is very similar to “Master Manole”, tells of a stonemason named Kelemen, who tries to build the Deva Fortress together with 12 other craftsmen. Of course, just like in the Romanian legend, everything that the craftsman Kelemen built during the day collapsed at night. In order to complete the construction, convinced that the fortress required a sacrifice, the craftsmen decided that this would be the first wife to bring them food the next day, and that her ashes would be mixed with the plaster. Kelemen's wife, Ana, was the one who brought the food. She was sacrificed, and the fortress was built.
The second legend explains the ruin of the fortress (considered invincible) from within: it is said that the administrator of the ammunition depot had a wife who was as beautiful as she was mischievous. Learning about her adventures, blinded by jealousy, the administrator blew up the ammunition depot. Thus, the fortress was largely destroyed, and it had to wait more than a century for restoration.