Timișoara, The Huniazilor Castle

GPS Coordinates:
45.75328 N, 21.22671 E

The first castle of the Huniaz was built by Iancu de Hunedoara in 1443-1447, on the ruins of an old castle belonging to the 14th century, built by Carol Robert de Anjou. After a visit in 1307 he decided to build a residence in Timișoara. The construction was probably finished in 1315, because in 1316 the king was already established in his new castle where he lived 8 years. The edifice developed around a quadrilateral yard with corner towers. Iancu de Hunedoara had the position of the leader of the comitat in Timișoara between 1441 and 1456.

He ordered the set-up of a new castle on the ruins of the old royal castle, gravely damages by an earthquake. The new castle served as residence for all the kings who until 1552 made a halt in Timișoara. In the period of the Ottoman occupation (1552-1716) it was the residence of the military commanders of Pașalâcul de Timișoara. During the re-conquest of Banat by the imperial army, the castle was deteriorated.

After renovation became artillery barrack and military depot. In 1849 the Hungarian revolutionaries, while besieging Timișoara, destroyed the castle. The reconstruction workings and the renovations ended in 1856. The upper part of the facade is crenelled, fact that makes it look like a fortress.

The tower of the castle has a rectangular shape, with crenels. The primal entrance is flanked by two massive pilasters that have in the upper part a collection of guns, specific to the middle age. Since 1947, the castle lodges the Museum of Banat. In front of the castle there are two lanterns, at the light of which it can be read that Timișoara was the first town in Europe which in 1884 introduced the public electric lighting.

Share The Huniazilor Castle, Timișoara·