American luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler has made a list of 10 beautiful snow castles in the world and Romania’s Rasnov Citadel is on it.

Located near the city of Brasov in central Romania, the citadel served as a fortress as far back as 1331. 

“Rasnov wasn't just built for military purposes, however: originally comprising houses, a school, and a chapel, the fortress was intended as a place of refuge for lengthy periods of time,” reads the presentation on Cntraveler.com.

The Romanian castle ranks tenth on the list. Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria (Germany) tops the list, followed in order by the Palace of Tzar Alexei Mikhailovich in Kolomenskoye Park (Moscow), Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto (Japan), Hohenzollern Castle in Hohenzollern (Germany), Hradcany Castle in Prague (Czech Republic), Blair Castle in Perthshire (Scotland), Gamlehaugen Castle in Bergen (Norway), Uchisar Castle in Nevşehir (Turkey), and Inuyama Castle in Inuyama (Japan).

Rasnov Citadel was built as part of a defense system for the Transylvanian villagers exposed to outside invasions. Compelled to stay there for decades, the villagers turned the fortification into a dwelling.

The citadel is located on a big hill near Brasov mountain resort, so the view from the top is worth a while. 

Travel planner: In the cradle of nature at Rasnov- breathtaking view from the peasant citadel and the one minute of darkness in the Fundata cave

Rasnov citadel reopened for tourists after renovation works

Back into dinosaur era in Central Romania: Dino Parc Rasnov, where science meets amusement

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Cetatea Medievala Rasnov on Facebook)