Gilău Castle (Rákóczi-Bánffy / Wass-Bánffy Castle)

Summary

A Renaissance castle at Gilău, west of Cluj-Napoca, founded in the 15th century as a bishops' fortress and rebuilt as a residence by the Rákóczi family. Restored in 2018-2023 for about EUR 7.1 million and opened to the public on 17 May 2024, it is owned by a foundation that runs it as a cultural centre.

Legal status

Nationalised under communism; returned to the heirs in 2012; acquired by the foundation (via a businessman) in about 2014 ↗

History

The castle was built after 1439 for Bishop György Lépes; around 1500 Bishop László Geréb turned it into a Renaissance castle, and Michael the Brave held it in 1599 and 1601. In 1638-1652 the Rákóczi family converted it into a late Renaissance residence with four corner towers. The Bánffy family held it from the early 1700s, and it was damaged in several sieges, including during the Rákóczi uprising. The second floor was demolished in 1836 and a fire destroyed the roof in 1861 according to Hungarian Wikipedia. The Barcsay family owned it until 1948. After nationalisation it housed offices, a children's camp and, from 1960 until 2002, a school for children with disabilities. Returned to the heirs in 2012, it went to the Traditio Transylvanica foundation in 2014. Restoration ran from 2018 to 2023 with EU and Hungarian government funds, and the castle opened on 17 May 2024. Park and Roman camp works were planned as a later phase.

Transactions & prices

Listed components

• Castelul Wass-Banffy, azi Liceul Gilău — sec. XV (CJ-II-m-A-07673.01)
• Conac, azi internatul Liceului Gilău — sec. XIX (CJ-II-m-B-07673.02)
• Șură — sec. XVIII (CJ-II-m-B-07673.03)
• Șură — sec. XIX (CJ-II-m-B-07673.04)
• Parcul castelului — sec. XIX (CJ-II-s-B-07673.05)

Sources & links