Bánffy Castle, Urmeniș
Castelul Bánffy din Urmeniș · Bánffy-kastély (Mezőörményes)
sat Urmeniș; comuna Urmeniș, Bistrița-Năsăud · 205 - 206
Castle in Transylvania lists it as visitable, but it is vacant and degraded; check locally
Summary
A two-storey princely manor house in Urmeniș (Bistrița-Năsăud) built in 1639-1641 for Prince György Rákóczi I, with an arcaded courtyard facade. It is privately owned, in poor condition and awaiting a full restoration after the roof was repaired.
Legal status
Listed monument LMI BN-II-a-A-01724; returned after a long dispute to descendants of the 1937 buyer, who donated it ↗
History
Prince György Rákóczi I acquired the estate in 1638 and had a new residence built in 1639-1641 on the site of an older manor, with the work supervised by master builder Mátyás Fundáló of Alba Iulia. The Bánffy family held it from 1663 until selling in 1937, remodelling it in the late 17th and 18th centuries. A granary was added in 1796. After nationalisation in 1948 it served as a village cultural hall and farm cooperative premises, and was restored in 1962-1967. After a long legal dispute it was returned to descendants of the 1937 buyer, who later donated it; the present private owner is not disclosed. A 2022 article described advanced degradation, and the owner has so far restored the roof.
Transactions & prices
Listed components
- Castelul Banffy — 1718-1721 (BN-II-m-A-01724.01)
- Grânar — sec. XVIII (BN-II-m-A-01724.02)
Sources & links
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