After exploring downtown Targu Mures it is time to explore the restored Targu Mures fortress which sits above the downtown area foreboding and controlling the town below. This time we arrive from above reaching the top of the fortress wall, quite impressive even from above. While it is renovated there are still spots where the plaster has fallen off especially at the bottom, hope they keep up with the renovations.
Here, facing the castle, is also the second famous high school in town, the Alexandru Papiu Ilarian high school which was traditionally for the Romanian students while the close Bolyai Farkas high school was traditionally for Hungarian students leading to some cross town rivalry across the years on which one is the best.
And then it is time to descend the hill following the wall trying to find an entrance into the castle. It is quite surprising how this well preserved fortress is not high on anyone’s desired sights to see for Romania as it is quite impressive.
And then, on the bottom of the fortress, is the entrance to the fortress, it is where it always was and right inside is the preserved Protestant church that is never open. Even now, when it is supposedly open for one hour, the only hour for the whole day, it is still closed which is quite annoying.
What is surprising however is how much the interior has changed. There are now paths through the fortress interior, signs pointing to attractions and panels describing the main towers. The ruins in the interior are now covered to protect against the elements and the major buildings are beautifully restored.
You can climb on the battlements for some fun views through the crenels which protected the defenders against gunfire from outside.
The restored buildings are either administrative with some exhibits outside or cultural like the County Museum for History which was moved here but is not open today. Still it sounds interesting so the decision is to return tomorrow to visit it and that visit is described separately.
Surprisingly there is also a modern looking half-dome right next to the main entrance, it is empty inside with no open hours so it becomes a big mystery to unravel, what is it and what is it supposed to do in the middle of a historic fortress? A mystery that we weren’t able to unravel, maybe a temporary exhibit place?
We continue exploring a bit more including some of the covered ruins which seems to have been some type of jail or cellar. There are also many smaller exhibits but nothing that we explore today as at this point we are hungry so it time to exit to return downtown to find something to eat.
Exiting we enjoy the great views of the double wall and impressive gate before making it back to downtown getting some food and then meeting with relatives.
The next day before visiting the museum it is time to go round the castle once more. This time the idea is to visit the Castle Boulevard to see how it has changed. Historically it was a childrens playground but today it is simply a walking promenade anchored by a statue of Francis II Rákóczi who was the leader of a “War of Independence” against the Habsburg.
What is still here is the yellow brick road which was fun to explore way back after learning about the Wizard of Oz but likely has no relation to it. But still it is fun to imagine Dorothy being blown a way way way off course and landing here. And then it is time to visit the County History Museum followed by meeting with family for celebrations which is how the rest of the day is spent before leaving the next day.
