Cetatea de Piatră – in the Light of the Medieval History.
CETATEA DE PIATRĂ – ÎN LUMINA ISTORIEI MEDIEVALE

Summary/Abstract: Cetatea de Piatră – in the Light of the Medieval History. The Chioar district, like many other Romanian regions, has been one of the important zones of activity of the Romanian boyars in Medieval Transilvania. The name of the district can be found in the famous Stone Fortress (Kovar), which has been in the area since time immemorial. The documents which certify the existence of this fortress date from the second half of the 12th c. and talk about a fortress made of earth which would become a strategic, consolidated point. Even though the first known owner of the castle, Desideriu of Elewanth, dates from 1317, the most representative moment in the history of the fortress is the year 1367 when the rebuilt fortress is re-possessed by the Voivodes of Maramures Dreg and Ioan as royal donation. It is them, and later the powerful family of Dragffy, who have imposed a genuine local rule over time, tolerated by the Hungarian kings. Strategically placed in what represents a fortified natural narrow path, surrounded from 3 parts by the waters of the Lapus river and situated at 600 metres altitudine on top of a hill, the fortress could survive the entire district. It was actually made up of “two fortresses”, separated by a defense groove with a bridge buill over it. The complex of fortresses was organized in three parts owned by the feudal lord, the military and economical constructions and the inner part which was a place for fairs and used to be called “the court of eggs”. Medieval history permits reporting the fortress to the families of Transilvanian princes or the emperor. Thus, the donation and the retrieving of the fortress by Gheorghe Bathory in 1565-1566, hosting the archduchess Maria Kristierna during the winters of 1597-1598, are proof in this respect. The fortress played an important role during the actions of Mihai Viteazu in Transilvania as here was headquartered captain Aga Lecca Racota who would betray the Romanian Voivod, becoming an ally of the imperial armies. During the following centuries the fortress remains under the influence of princes Gabriel Bathory, Gheorghe and Francisc Ràkoczy, until the second half of the 17th century when it becomes the possession of the count Mihai Teleki. During the was of the Curutz in 1703-1711 it will become a center for the resistance of the rebels which will in turn determine the Austrian authorities to blow up the fortress in 1718 with its own, strored gun powder. The importance of the fortress will not be erased by the cruel power of its historical destiny, it will remain a spiritual support of national will over centuries.

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