Kornis-Rákóczi-Bethlen Castle, Iernut
Castelul Kornis-Rákóczi-Bethlen · Kornis-Rákóczi-Bethlen-kastély (Radnót)
oraș Iernut, Mureș · Str. Vladimirescu Tudor 4
Listed as visitable but derelict
Summary
A Renaissance castle at Iernut with corner bastions, linked to Prince Gábor Bethlen, Prince György Rákóczi II and the Apafi family, where the Transylvanian Diet met repeatedly. It is state-owned, abandoned and dilapidated, with a partly collapsed roof.
Legal status
Nationalised 1948; Roman Catholic Archdiocese claim from 2003 ended with state ownership retained ↗
History
A fortified manor stood here in the 15th century. Prince Gábor Bethlen began a symmetrical castle with four corner bastions in 1626-1629, and Prince György Rákóczi II modernised it in 1649-1660 with Venetian-trained architect Agostino da Serena. The Transylvanian Diet met here under the Apafi princes, the last time in 1690, and Ferenc Rákóczi II stayed in 1707. A baroque gatehouse was added in 1758 and a fire damaged it in 1802. The Roman Catholic Status bought the estate in 1885-1887; after nationalisation in 1948 it served a state farm and an agricultural school until 2002. A restitution claim by the Alba Iulia Archdiocese from 2003 ended with the building staying in state ownership.
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