BRAN CASTLE - Restitution Complete | Romania
The Bran Castle , first built by Teutonic Knights in 1377 to protect Kronstadt (Brasov) from Ottoman attacks, became a key guard post at the Carpathian Mountain pass for the Austro-Hungarian Empire's hold on Transylvania. Gifted to Queen Marie of Romania by local citizens after Transylvania became a Romanian province in the early 1920s , she restored it into its present state. In 1950, after expropriation by the Communist government, the castle became a national monument to which was added a museum of restored village buildings. Bran Castle - back to Habsburg family On June 1st, the castle will be officially opened to the public. On Monday, the Bran Castle became property of the Habsburg family again, the handing over and reception report being signed at 12 AM, Corin Trandafir, the solicitor representing the heirs, told Agerpres. Three years after the actual restitution of the Bran Castle, during which time it has been managed by the state, the tourist site is now privately operate...