Colț Fortress

Suseni, Romania, Romania

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Colț Fortress in Suseni, Hunedoara County, Romania, is a 14th-century medieval stronghold built around 1359 by the noble Cândea family on a rocky cliff at the entrance to Râușorului Valley, serving primarily as a refuge and control point rather than a major battle fortress due to its compact size. Featuring an irregular layout adapted to the terrain with a massive square donjon tower, surrounding curtain walls, and additional towers for defense, it was the strongest cnezial (local ruler's) fortress in Transylvania amid inter-noble conflicts. Partially ruined by collapses and erosion, its dramatic, isolated silhouette overlooking the Retezat Mountains is believed to have inspired Jules Verne's 1893 novel The Castle of the Carpathians (and possibly Bram Stoker's Dracula), drawing growing tourist interest via hiking trails despite its decayed state.