Lázár Castle

Lăzarea, Romania, Romania

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Lázár Castle in Lăzarea, Harghita County, Romania, is a Renaissance-style fortress begun in the 15th century by the prominent Székely noble Lázár family, with major expansions between 1626-1632 under István Lázár IV, who enclosed the original manor and gate tower with defensive walls, corner bastions, and ornamental Renaissance battlements. The complex features a rectangular layout, a Gothic-inscribed vaulted hall from 1532, a distinctive Red Tower, a Knights' Hall for assemblies, and spaces like a prison, kitchen, and stables, where young Gábor Bethlen—future Prince of Transylvania—resided from 1590-1594. Burned in 1707 by imperial troops during Rákóczi's uprising as punishment for owner Ferenc Lázár's Kuruc support, it was partially restored by him into the 18th century before decline, with 20th-century renovations preserving it today as a museum of Székely heritage amid the Eastern Carpathians.