Fortresses and fortified Churches - Rasnov

RASNOV

 

 

Rasnov, a town in the Brasov county, is located in the south-western part of the Brasov Depression, near the Ghimbasel river, 14 km south-west from Brasov. The highest altitude in the area is of 650 m.

, a town in the Brasov county, is located in the south-western part of the Brasov Depression, near the Ghimbasel river, 14 km south-west from Brasov. The highest altitude in the area is of 650 m.

The town notes a population of 16,496 inhabitants (according to the 1997' census).

The settlement has an old history, due to its location at the foot of the Postavarul Mountain at the crossroad of commercial routes that connected Brasov to Campulung and Targoviste in Wallachia, or to Predeal through Paraul Rece and to Zarnesti and Fagaras through Poiana Marului. Archaeological findings have evinced traces of a Geto-Dacian settlement and of a large Roman camp (114 x 10 m), called Cumidava. The Roman camp was built in the 2nd century A.D., and rebuilt in the 3rd century A.D. The artifacts discovered in the Barsa river meadow, i.e. pottery, coins, inscriptions certify to the continuity of the Roman-Dacian population on Transylvania's present territory.

The settlement was first mentioned in writing in 1331, i.e. Rosnou. By then it was a borough inhabited by free peasants and craftsmen organized in guilds. Later on (1343), the settlement was known as Rosnov, while in 1338 it was called Villa Rosarum.

Belonging to the larger family of fortified Saxon strongholds, Rasnov is a hilltop fort, the most representative of this kind in Romania. The Peasant Fortress at Rasnov is placed on a steep-sloped hill, partially forested, which overlooks the town from its 150 m height. It is accessible only from its eastern side. Built in stone and brick, it was erected in several stages starting with the 14th century (in 1335 it was mentioned in connection with the Tartar invasion in the Barsei country), and ending in the 17th century. The Fortress has got two precincts. The lower one, in ruins today, is surrounded by walls, and has an irregular polygonal shape, given by the relief. The rectangular Tower (about 120 x 100 m in size) is the oldest part of the Fortress. The upper precinct, surrounded by 5 m high walls, is the fort proper. Due to the fact that the ground is uneven, the fort's walls seem unequal in height. The Fortress stretches over a length of about 100 m; its width varies between 20 and 70 m. Entrance is made through a massively fortified tower, an outpost half-round Bastion provided with numerous firing outlets and arrow loops and with a wall-walk for the Fortress's defenders.

The defensive role of the stronghold was ensured by a drawbridge, two mobile gates, eight bastions (the foundations of which were rooted in the steep slopes of the rocks).

Within the upper precinct, cells placed along the walls have been preserved to the day. The Saxon villagers would take shelter there during sieges. The rooms still bear names relating to the purpose they were used for like the school house, the priest's house, the bacon house. The Fountain in the bailey of the Fortress has an exceptional depth 98 m.

The Church within the bailey, which is evangelical today, was built between the 13th and the 15th centuries in the Gothic style. The murals were influenced by the Renaissance and were painted in 1500. The Chapel of the Fortress, in ruins today, was raised in 1650.

Tourists who get to Rasnov may also visit "Saint Nicholas" Orthodox Church, built by Wallachia's ruling prince Dan the 1st in 1384. This is the first foundation of the Basarabs (ruling family in Wallachia) in Transylvania. Restored by Michael the Brave in 1600, and extended in 1770, the Church preserves murals painted by Misu Popp in 1864.

 

, a town in the Brasov county, is located in the south-western part of the Brasov Depression, near the Ghimbasel river, 14 km south-west from Brasov. The highest altitude in the area is of 650 m.