Kornis-Rákóczi-Bethlen Castle

Iernut, Romania, Romania

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Kornis-Rákóczi-Bethlen Castle in Iernut, Romania, began as a 15th-century noble manor owned by the Bogáti family, later fortified with stone walls and transformed into a Renaissance castle around 1545 by Gáspár Bogáthi before passing through turbulent noble hands. Expanded significantly between 1626-1629 under Prince Gábor Bethlen with Italian architect Giacomo Resti da Verna's symmetrical design featuring four corner bastions, it was further modernized in 1649-1656 by Prince György Rákóczi II using Venetian Agostino Serena's plans, hosting Transylvanian Diets and princely courts after Alba Iulia's destruction. Acquired by the Bethlens in 1758 with Baroque gatehouse additions, it suffered fire damage in 1802 and later served agricultural purposes post-nationalization, now standing as evocative ruins on the Mureș River banks.