Wesselényi-Bethlen Castle

Drág, Romania, Romania

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Wesselényi-Bethlen Castle in Dragu, Sălaj County, Romania, originated as a Renaissance manor around 1622-1628 under the Kamuthy family, later passing to the Wesselényi family in 1723 and transformed into a neoclassical U-shaped structure with corner towers between 1810-1816 by Count István Wesselényi, featuring elegant Greek columns and wrought-iron details. It changed hands through marriage to the Bethlen family in the 19th century before communist nationalization repurposed it as a cooperative headquarters, school, library, and police station without maintenance. Returned to heirs and then local authorities, a failed 2002 lease for renovation left it in ruins, with collapsing walls and widespread looting despite unfulfilled Norway Grants promises.