The Mălăiești Fortress

The Mălăiești fortress is an ensemble of historical monuments located in the village with the same name, in the Sălașu de Sus commune. Specialists describe it as a donjon-like fortress, with a circular enclosure to which 4 polygonal towers were added. It is said to be built by the Sărăcin family as an observation and defence point. In the first two decades of the 14th century, the donjon and the stone enclosure were built. After that, they were elevated. In 1588 the 4 towers were added. It is said to be left abandoned in the 17th century.

The road towards Nucșoara
The fortress can be found on the hiking trail towards the Retezat mountains. It is the first fortress in Romania that was entirely rehabilitated after 1989. Some people say, however, that the rehabilitation did not take into account its real history. Nevertheless, this still helped and made the fortress a main attraction point for tourists who go to Nucșoara. The access is possible through Ohaba de Sub Piatră and Sălașu de Sus.

A fortress with 6 levels
There is a paved alley that leads to the fortress. In total, it has 6 levels and a bridge that leads to the donjon. The donjon could house 10 to 20 people while the lower levels were used to store provisions. Today, the Mălăiești fortress hosts armours, weapons, shields, blazons and Corvinilor’s emblem. The legend says that the Sărăcin family was amongst the most trustworthy ones.

The Fortress’ history

The fortress was built in the 14th century by the Sărăcin family. Initially, it was only a donjon, to which were later added defence walls and towers. The donjon served as a shelter and shooting point. It was 11 metres high with walls that were 1.50 metres thick. The entrance was placed on the western side on the first floor. It was a ladder that could be pulled up in case of an attack. The rehabilitation project cost 7,6 million leis, with its largest part being European funds. The project, challenged by some historians, partially rebuilt the fortress, rebuilt the whole donjon, but also included the access roads and a parking lot, an architectural lighting installation, the purchase of medieval exhibits and the amphitheatre on the plateau upstream.