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CULTURAL HERITAGE AT THE CROSSROADS: THE RENAISSANCE CASTLES OF THE MURE? VALLEY, TRANSYLVANIA, ROMANIA IN THE 20TH-21ST CENTURIES

Ileana Ana Abos

First published: 2023https://doi.org/10.35603/sws.iscah.2023/fs05.06View metrics

Abstract

The Mure? Valley is one of Romania's most culturally cohesive landscapes. Its cultural heritage intertwines with Western and Central Europe. Europe's cultural heritage includes this region's heritage. Starting in the 16th century, several noble residences were constructed in this region in magnificent geographical surroundings. Some of these were built according to designs based on Italian Renaissance architectural treatises. The most impressive style of Transylvanian Renaissance architecture is represented by these monuments. These belonged to noble and princely families, and they varied greatly in terms of size and demand. Around them, parks were constructed, and the castle contained a remarkable collection of books and artwork. After being nationalised in 1949, they underwent significant changes under communism. Some of these changes destroyed them, and others are irreparable. This work aims to illustrate the changes the magnificent Renaissance mansions of the nobility have undergone over time. These changes occurred in the 20th and 21st centuries. On the inside, there were numerous changes. In addition, the parks that border these architectural complexes have been changed or eliminated. The cultural landscape has irrevocably changed. Our research shows three main categories of Renaissance castles in the Mures Valley. A) Saved monuments, where you can see how they were preserved and incorporated into tourist routes. It may also involve returning castles to the community. B) Crumbling castles represent the opposing polarity. C) Castles undergoing restoration. According to their legal standing, castles are either privately owned, owned by the state, or owned by Catholic or Reformed churches. Preserving these monuments and the cultural landscape they generate preserves a significant part of our implicit cultural heritage and European identity.

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Publication details

Title
CULTURAL HERITAGE AT THE CROSSROADS: THE RENAISSANCE CASTLES OF THE MURE? VALLEY, TRANSYLVANIA, ROMANIA IN THE 20TH-21ST CENTURIES
Authors
Ileana Ana Abos
Proceedings
Proceedings of 10th SWS International Scientific Conference on Arts And Humanities - ISCAH 2023
Publisher
SGEM WORLD SCIENCE (SWS) Scholarly Society
Year
2023
Pages
77-86
SWS Citekey
Abos20235111
ISSN
2682-9940
ISBN
978-3-903438-07-1
Language
en
Publication type
Proceedings Paper
Keywords
cultural heritageRenaissance castlesMure? ValleyTransylvaniacultural landscape
References15

  1. Bereznay A., Erdely tortenetenek atlasza, Hungary, 2011, p.96.

  2. Jenei D., Renasterea transilvaneana – identitate culturala in context european, Romania, 2013, p.9.

  3. Kovacs A., Keso reneszansz epiteszet Erdelyben 1541-1720, Romania, 2003, p 199.

  4. Kovacs A., ?oca M., Arhitec?i italieini in cursul secolelor al XVI-lea ?i al XVII-lea, in Sudia Universitatis Babe?-Bolyai, Series Historia, Romania, 1973.

  5. Between 1715 and 1738, Alba Iulia, then called Alba Carolina, was transformed into a Vauban fortress according to the plans of Italian architect Giovanni Morandi Visconti. Then some Renaissance buildings were demolished.

  6. Kovacs A, Arhitectura si sculptura Renasterii, in Arta din Romania. Din preistorie in contemporaneitate, Romania, 2018, p.549.

  7. The locality's mention in Hungarian is significant because, for the most part, this was the language used to record its existence in the documents.

  8. Kovacs A., A marosillyei Veres-bastya, Romania, 2004, pp. 9-13.

  9. Bicsok, Z., Orban, Z. „Isten segedelmevel udvaromat megepitettem…” Tortenelmi csaladok kastelyai Erdelyben. Romania, 2011, pp.339-340.

  10. Rusu, A., A., Gotic si Renastere la Vintu de Jos / Gotik und Renaissace in Unter-Winz, Romania, 1998, p. 10.

  11. Karczag A., Szabo T., Erdely, Partium es a Bansag eroditett helyei, Hungary, 2010, pp.295-296.

  12. Bicsok, Z., Orban, Z. „Isten segedelmevel udvaromat megepitettem…” Tortenelmi csaladok kastelyai Erdelyben. Romania, 2011, pp.375-377.

  13. Ibidem pp.443-444.

  14. Biro Jozsef, Chateaux de Transylvanie, Hongrie, 1942.

  15. Fekete, A., Transylvanian Garden History: Castle Gardens along the Maros River, Romania, 2007, p.25.

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