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Rasnov Fortress |
Rasnov Fortress patio |
Rasnov Fortress
The
Peasant Fortress at Rasnov:
built in stone and brick, it was erected in several stages starting with the
14th century and ending in the 17th century.
The Fortress has two precincts. The lower one, in ruins
today, is surrounded by walls, and has an irregular polygonal shape, given by
the relief. The rectangular Tower (about 120 x 100 m in size) is the oldest part
of the Fortress.
The upper precinct, surrounded by 5 m high walls,
is the proper fort. Due to the fact that the ground is uneven, the fort’s
walls seem unequal in height. The Fortress stretches over a length of about 100
m; its width varies between 20 and 70 m. Entrance is made through a massively
fortified tower, an outpost half-round Bastion provided with numerous firing
outlets and arrow loops and with a wall-walk for the Fortress’s defenders.
A drawbridge, two mobile gates and eight bastions ensured the defensive role of
the stronghold.
Within the upper precinct, cells placed along the walls have been preserved to
the day. The Saxon villagers would take shelter there during sieges. The rooms
still bear names relating to the purpose they were used for like the school
house, the priest’s house, the bacon house. The Fountain in the bailey of the
Fortress has an exceptional depth: 98 m.
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