This article is part of a series of stories divided by main categories, meant to celebrate Romania and its richness. Check a list of all the articles in this series here.

Medieval citadels, fortresses, mansions and fairy-tale castles add to the list of the country's built patrimony.

33. The Palace of the Parliament

The massive building you just cannot miss was built at the order of late communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and has become a landmark for the Romanian capital. It is the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon in the US. More here.

34. The Hotel of Ice

The only such building in South Eastern Europe has been built in Fagaras county for more than ten seasons. It has a different themes each year, and various amenities can be found on site. More here.

35. The Cotroceni Palace

The place carries a strong association with the Romanian royal family as it was meant to serve as residence for crown prince Ferdinand of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. A visit there will also give you a chance to see one of Bucharest’s most beautiful neighborhoods. More here.

36. The Peles Castle

This is THE castle on almost every list of sightseeing recommendations in Romania and around Bucharest.  This Neo-Renaissance castle was built in the 19th century, at the initiative of King Carol I of Romania. More here.

37. The Feldioara Fortress

This Teutonic fortress was recently refurbished and the works started with an archaeological research that revealed that the hill upon which the fortress is standing was inhabited thousands of years ago. More here.

38. The Poenari Citadel

The history of this citadel is connected to Vlad the Impaler, who repaired it and made it one of his fortresses. More here.

39. The Cantacuzino Castle

The Neo-Romanian style castle offers impressive views of Busteni, and works well as a one-day getaway. More here.

40. The Fagaras Citadel

This large feudal complex is well-preserved, and its museum the well set-up. Further restoration work on the complex is expected in the coming period. More here.

41. The Black Church

This is one of largest Gothic constructions in Eastern Europe. It accommodates the largest mechanical organ in Romania. More here.

42. The Ramet Monastery

Ramet Abbey is one of the ancient monastic settlements in Transylvania, which, according to tradition was built in 1214. The old church has paintings dating from 1300. More here.

43. The Deva Citadel

One of the most important fortresses in Transylvania, it offers an unique view of the Mures Valley. It reopened to visitors last year, after three years of rehabilitation work. More here.

44. The Nicolae Balcescu Manor

The thick-walled manor built in the Brancovenesc architectural style captures the history of the Balcescu family. More here.

45. The Neamt Citadel

Built in the 14th century Moldavia during Petru I of Moldavia’s reign, the citadel played a key role in a defense system against the Ottomans, Hungarians and Poles. More here.

46. The Bran Castle

Since it goes by the name of Dracula’s Castle, this is one of the most visited sites in the country. It recently added a “secret” tunnel that links the Castle’s interior courtyard with the Royal Park. Besides the usual tourist offering, events take place here regularly. More here.

47. Iulia Hasdeu’s castle

A very sad story surrounds this small castle, built by a father, Romanian historian and writer Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu, mourning the death of his daughter. More here.

48. The Corvinilor Castle

The Gothic-Renaissance castle, most probably built in the XIV century, has managed to defy wars, fires and generations for hundreds of years.  It shot to international fame when it became a setting for various films and commercials. This year, US actors Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Aaron Eckhart shot an ad there. More here.

49. The Caraiman Cross

The almost 40-meter tall cross praises the memory of the heroes who died in World War I. More here.

50. The Casino in Constanta

One of the best known symbols of Constanta, the historical building is in heavy need of restoration. Although currently closed, visitors can still admire it while talking a walk on the city’s pier. More here.

51. The Calendar Castle

This unique building in Romania has the number of windows equal to the number of days in a year and the number of rooms to that of the weeks. It also has four towers, as the number of seasons. More here. (Photo: Tetcu Mircea Rares/ Wikipedia)

52. The Rasnov Citadel

It is actually called the Rasnov Peasant Citadel and is an example of a medieval fortified town. It offers some spectacular vistas of Rasnov town, including 360 degrees views. More here.

100 Places to See in Romania: Beautiful cities full of history

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100 Places to See in Romania: Rich history & traditions

100 Places to See in Romania: Food & Wine

100 Places to See in Romania: Seasonal destinations

100 Places to See in Romania: Spectacular roads

100 Places to See in Romania: In the footsteps of…

100 Places to See in Romania: Well-known and less-known

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editor@romania-insider.com

(Photos: Romania Insider/ City Compass archives)