Located at the top of the Cetatuia Mountain, a short distance away from the Vidraru Dam, the Poenari Citadel is part of a chain of fortifications meant to defend the northern border of Wallachia during the long lost Middle Ages.
The Poenari Citadel
The Poenari Citadel is also known under the name of Poenari Castle and it was built in the XIVth century by Negru Voda.
The citadel has an elongated form and 5 towers with 2-3 meters thick walls. The building was chosen by Vlad Tepes as a refuge against the attacks of the Osman Turks, thus becoming its second court. By the order of the same Vlad Tepes, the citadel was restored and expanded to include a 60 m long and 15 m wide garden.
One of the legends connected with the Poenari Citadel tells how the wife of the voievod Tepes, feeling the Turks approaching, climbed on the battlements facing the Arges River and shouted to the soldiers guarding the citadel that she would rather die than fall prisoner to the Osmans. Thus, she threw herself into the abyss, her body smashing against the wet rocks and as a result, reddening the place – which is still red.
The region where the citadel is located seems to be taken from a fairy-tale, offering a mesmerizing view to those who climb the 1480 stairs to admire Curtea de Arges, Cheile Argesului, Mount Fagaras and Vidraru Dam.
It`s easy to get there if you follow the path to Arges County and then follow the Cheile Argesului. The destination is accessible by train up to Curtea de Arges, but a ride by car from Pitesti tu Vidraru sounds like an even better idea, because you`d also get the chance to see some interesting attractions.
The distance from Bucharest to Poenari Castle is 180 km and it`s worth remembering you have to pay an entry tax and another to be allowed to take pictures.