A 5-star medieval hotel, built in Alba Iulia's historic city storehouse of the city, officially opened on Friday ( June 22 ), following an investment of over EUR 4.2 million.

The medieval hotel was built by Corint Group SA, in the 300 year-old building, near the Third Gate of Alba Iulia's Vauban Citadel.

According to Corint Group, the new hotel currently has only 22 rooms, less than the number announced previously by the company, and the prices are between EUR 70 and 150 per night. Furniture, bathrooms and decorations are in period style, while from September additional services will be available, including, a spa, an indoor pool, fitness and relaxation rooms, sauna and massage.

The municipality and Corint Group signed a contract for the project in 2006, under which the company has the right to use several buildings in return for10 percent of net profits.

Although officially opened to the public on Friday, the hotel had already been in use for private parties, including several politicians, such as Elena Udrea and Victor Ponta, who stayed at the hotel last year.

Corint Group manager, Dan Sabau, has previously said that the medieval hotel aims to be a special 5-star location with 36 luxury apartment style rooms. He said that the investment was almost EUR 4.2 million.

The storehouse was one of the first structures built by the Austrians at the Alba Iulia fortress. Although built in the eighteenth century, around 1714, it retains some earlier architectural details. The building was originally a military depot for the fortress.

The fortress of Alba Iulia was built in the early eighteenth century, between 1714-1738, and is considered the best example of Vauban type fortifications in Romania. The city plan was drawn up by the Italian architect Giovanni Morando Visconti, under General Stephen Steinville, and then completed by General Weiss.

Actual work on the fortification of Alba Iulia began on November 4, 1715, when a foundation stone dedicated to King Carol was laid in the northern part of the city.

Ioana Toader, ioana.toader@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Hotel Medieval)