Bethlen Castle, Criș
Castelul Bethlen din Criș · Bethlen-kastély (Keresd)
sat Criș; comuna Daneș, Mureș · 188-190
Listed as visitable but no hours or booking details are given
Summary
A Renaissance fortified noble residence at Criș (Keresd), with a bastioned wall, a loggia and a round old tower, held by the Bethlen family until 1949. Returned to the Bethlen heirs in 2007, it is under renovation and entrusted to a foundation.
Legal status
Nationalised 1949; restitution lawsuits halted 1990s works; castle and park returned to the heirs in 2007 ↗
History
The Bethlen estate at Keresd dates to the 14th century. György Bethlen and Klára Károlyi rebuilt the manor in Renaissance style around 1559, Mihály Bethlen added the residential wing around 1598, and Elek Bethlen built the second wing, the loggia and upper tower floors between 1666 and 1683. A printing press was founded in the castle in 1684. The family lived here until nationalisation in 1949; later the castle was used as a warehouse by a state farm. A fire during the filming of the 1970 film 'The Immortals' destroyed much of the roof. A 1990s restoration for a planned hotel was halted by restitution lawsuits, and in 2007 the Bethlen heirs recovered the castle and park. In 2014 they entrusted it for 50 years to the Szent Ferenc Foundation of Deva.
Transactions & prices
Listed components
- Castelul Georgius Bethlen — sec. XVI - XVII (MS-II-m-A-15639.01)
- Castelul Alexius Bethlen — sec. XVI - XVII (MS-II-m-A-15639.02)
- Incintă fortificată — sec. XVI - XVII (MS-II-m-A-15639.03)
- Parcul și criptele — sec. XVIII (MS-II-m-A-15639.04)
Sources & links
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