Wesselényi-Bethlen Castle, Dragu
Castelul Bethlen din Dragu · Wesselényi–Bethlen-kastély (Drág)
sat Dragu; comuna Dragu, Sălaj · 329
Summary
A neoclassical U-shaped castle in Dragu (Sălaj County) rebuilt in 1810-1816 on a 17th-century core for the Wesselényi family, later passing to the Bethlens. It is in advanced decay, but a multi-year volunteer restoration by Ambulanța pentru Monumente was announced for 2025.
Legal status
Nationalised 1948 ↗
History
Blasius Kamuthy de Szent-László built the first castle in the 1620s, and in 1723 Emperor Charles VI assigned it to the Wesselényi family. Count Wesselényi remodelled it in neoclassical style in 1810-1816; the year 1816 is on the gate. It passed to the Bethlens through the marriage of Sarolta Wesselényi to Count Edmund Bethlen. Nationalised in 1948, it housed the People's Council, an agricultural cooperative, flats, a cinema and a cultural hall. Storm damage in 2017 wrecked the roof and part of the south wall collapsed, and in 2025 Ambulanța pentru Monumente (Arhaic Association, with The King's Foundation) planned to rebuild the wall and protect the roof.
Transactions & prices
| Date | Type | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Nationalisation | — | Nationalised by the communist state (not a restitution) ↗ |
Listed components
- Castel — sec. XVIII - XIX (SJ-II-m-A-05052.01)
- Anexe — sec. XIX (SJ-II-m-A-05052.02)
- Parc — sec. XVIII - XIX (SJ-II-s-A-05052.03)
Sources & links
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