GLOBETROTTERS MONTHLY CHALLENGE
The Castle Above the Clouds
Hidden in the remote hills of the Carpathian Mountains
It wasn’t meant to be the day for great views from a mountain but we had no other choice and only this day left to visit the fortress of Râșnov. When we neared the fortified walls, we could barely see the hand in front of our eyes, that was how low the fog was hanging. And yet, I had a feeling there was something spectacular to see when we launched the drone into the white.
As I chose an image from this fortress as the title picture of the challenge post, it is inevitable for me to write about this day and the special location. Or was it just us being at the right time at the right place? However, I know I am not going to forget this day so soon.
We were staying two nights in Poiana Brașov when we planned to visit the said fortress. But before making our way to the historical building we stopped in the morning at the entrance of Valea Cetatii Cave. Those caves I only knew of thanks to a comment from fellow editor Adrienne Beaumont who also stumbled upon them by chance.
The caves were subject to destruction and vandalism until a private company took over the place. Today, the caves are accessible through a vast staircase system and only with a guide.
However, due to the great acoustics inside the largest hall, the cave is also used for concerts from time to time. An experience I can only imagine.
Still before noon, we made it out of the caves and headed towards Râșnov. The clouds were still low and we had little hope of getting a good view from the fortress on the hill.
The parking lot was busy and mostly families with children were making their way up through the forest. However, most of them aiming toward the dinosaur park which is also on this hill.
When we left the forest and reached the gates of Râșnov Fortress, David exclaimed "Wow, what a stunning castle". Obviously joking as we couldn’t even see the outer walls of the fortress.
However, we decided to head up a few more meters and see whatever was visible. We were there already and knew the fortress was closed due to renovation works but still insisted on walking around.
"The fortress was built as part of a defence system for the Transylvanian villages exposed to outside invasions. A decisive aspect for building the fortress at its location was the route of the invading armies which were coming from the Bran pass and were passing through Râșnov, on their way to Brașov and other parts of the Burzenland region. The only chance of survival for the inhabitants of the area, including from Cristian and Ghimbav, was the refuge inside the fortress at Râșnov. Compelled to stay there for decades, the people of Râșnov and the nearby villages turned the fortification into their long-term place of residence." — Wikipedia
It was now that I decided to launch the drone and take a chance. David said nothing would be visible but I had a feeling. The kind of feeling only women have when they know something special will happen.
We first launched the drone without an SD card in the camera, quickly landed and restarted the flying object. The fog above us was by then so thin, we could see the blue sky through.
And all of a sudden the castle appeared on the screen of the remote. Above the world. That was at least how it looked like. Floating above the low-hanging fog, the fortress of Râșnov was like out of a fairytale.
The surrounding hills of the Carpathian Mountains were peaking out of the clouds with some peaks covered in snow. The colored forest of late fall added to the mystical moment.
And after flying in circles, up and down, we landed our camera again and walked around the fortress. The renovation works are being done to turn the ancient building into an entertainment park. Together with the dinosaur park, many travelers are hoped to be attracted.
While the original charm and historical feeling of this fortress are being lost in the process, I am nobody to judge.
To me, it was simply a moment of awe seeing the fortress appear above the clouds. That moment everything was visible on the remote, a moment I will not forget so soon.
“Râşnov Fortress (Rosenau in German), is located on a rocky hilltop in the Carpathian Mountains, 650 ft. above the town of Râşnov. First mentioned in an official document in 1331, the fortress was built by Teutonic Knights as protection against invading Tartars and was later enlarged by the local Saxon population.” — Romania Tourism
This is a writing prompt response to Globetrotter’s monthly challenge: Ruins of the World
If you’re interested in more stories about Romania, read below why Braşov is a great base when exploring Transylvania. Adrienne Beaumont tested it.
Paul Gardner took the slow train through the country. Also an experience to remember.
Join my email list here if you would like to read more travel essays or sign up for the Medium membership to receive unlimited access to my and other writers’ stories out here (I will receive a commission fee in return).
WordPress | Shutterstock | Instagram | YouTube | Mailchimp | Amazon
