CORVIN CASTLE
By Catalin Constantin, Romania
Corvin Castle was laid out in 1446, when construction began at the orders of Iancu of Hunedoara who wanted to transform the former keep built by Charles I of Hungary. The castle was originally given to Iancu of Hunedoara’s father, Voyk, by Sigismund, king of Hungary, as severance in 1409. It was also in 1446 when Iancu of Hunedoara was elected as the regent-governor of the Kingdom of Hungary.
It was built mainly in Gothic style, but has Renaissance architectural elements. It features tall and strong defence towers, an interior yard and a drawbridge. Built over the site of an older fortification and on a rock above the small Zlasti River, the castle is a large and imposing building with tall and diversely coloured roofs, towers and myriad windows and balconies adorned with stone carvings.
The 16th century did not bring any improvements to the castle, but during the 17th century new additions have been made, for aesthetic and military purposes. Aesthetically, the new Large Palace has been built facing the town. A two level building, it hosted living chamber and a large living area. For military purposes, two new towers were constructed: the White Tower and the Artillery Tower. Also, the external yard was added, used for administration and storage.
The current castle is the result of a fanciful restoration campaign undertaken after a disastrous fire and many decades of total neglect. It has been noted that modern “architects projected to it their own wistful interpretations of how a great Gothic castle should look”.