Neamț Citadel

Romania, Romania

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Neamț Citadel near Târgu Neamț in Neamț County, Romania, is a medieval fortress built in the late 14th century during Petru I Mușat's reign (1375-1391), strategically positioned on Plesu Peak at 480 meters to guard Moldova's Siret Valley and mountain passes against invasions.

Greatly strengthened by Stephen the Great around 1475 with walls raised 6-7 meters higher (reaching 12-15 meters total with 3-meter thickness), four semicircular northern bastions, a deep defensive ditch, palisades, and an arched drawbridge over 11 stone pillars leading to the Mușatin Gate, it famously withstood an 8-day Ottoman siege by Mehmed II in 1476 despite heavy bombardment.

Repaired by Vasile Lupu in the 17th century before ordered demolished by Mihai Racovită in 1717 under Ottoman pressure, the river stone and quarry structure with integrated corner towers fell into ruin, now restored since 2015 as a key Moldavian heritage site accessible by trail.