
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.