Located a 30 km from Cluj, Romania, the Banffy Castle is documentary certified from the begining of the fourteenth century. In 1837 the buildings and the sorounding lands came into possesion of the Banffy family as a gift from the king Sigismund. In 1680 a military report consemned the existence of some fortifications.
Between 1740 and 1750, at the order of Denes Banffy the castle suffered some modifications, being rebuilt in the baroque style. In the mentioned period were built the statues that were a must have in an aristocratic residence at that time.
Among the new buildings that were built we can name the stables, riding places and the servants draw.
The Denes descendant, Iosif, ordered the demolition of some portions of the buildings. From the materials resulted he built a mill for the villagers from Bontida village.
One of the attractions of the residence was the horse riding school inside one of the buildings.
At the end of the World War Two, the Nazi soldiers which were in retreat, burned down the castle destroing the furniture, library and the paintings gallery.
The Banffy Castle was used in a time as a hospital, driving school and also was was used as the setting for shooting the "Forest of the Hanged" movie, directed by Liviu Ciulei.
From 1990 the castle was declared a historical monument.
To get to Cluj, Romania, you can take the plane, train or bus from Bucharst or Timisoara.
